Symptoms of Anal Cancer

The symptoms can be similar to other problems of the anus, such as piles or anal fissures.

The most common symptom is bleeding from the back passage (rectal bleeding). Nearly half of all people diagnosed with anal cancer have had rectal bleeding or blood in their stools. Other cancer symptoms can include

• Small lumps around the anus, which may be confused with piles (haemorrhoids)
• Pain in the anal area – 1 in 3 people (30%) have some pain in the area or a sensation of a lump there
• Discharge of mucus from your back passage Difficulty in controlling your bowels (faecal incontinence)
• A lump (or lumps) in the groin

But 1 in 5 people (20%) diagnosed with anal cancer don’t have any of these symptoms.

Remember – anal cancer is rare, so if you have any of these symptoms it is more likely to be something else. But it is still important to report them to your doctor.