How I coped with the stigma of anal cancer
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April 29, 2026
Anal Cancer Symptoms
Anal cancer often does not have symptoms. When it does have symptoms, they vary from person to person. If you have anal cancer symptoms, they may include:
- Anal or rectal bleeding
- Pain or pressure around the anus
- Change in bowel habits
- Narrower stool than usual
- A lump close to the anus
- Swollen lymph nodes in the anal or groin area
- Anal discharge
Other conditions with similar symptoms
These symptoms are not only caused by anal cancer. Other possible diagnoses include hemorrhoids, diverticular disease and pre-cancerous lesions.
What does anal cancer feel like?
Anal cancer may not have symptoms. When symptoms do appear, they include pain around the anus, a lump close to the anus and the feeling of needed to have a bowel movement.
When to see a doctor
Patients should see a doctor if they are experiencing any anal cancer symptoms, including:
- A mass or lump on their anus.
- Discomfort around the anus.
- Persistent bleeding from the anus.
Anal cancer screening
People at high risk for anal cancer should get screened for the disease. These include:
- Starting at age 35, men who have sex with HIV-positive men.
- Starting at age 45, people with HIV and men who have who have sex with men or trans women.
- Solid organ transplant recipients should start screening 10 years after the transplant operation.
- For people with a history of vulvar cancer or pre-cancerous growths, screening should start within one year of diagnosis.
- Starting at age 45, screening should be considered for people with:
- A history of cervical/vaginal HSIL or cancer
- A history of perianal warts
- Persistent (>1 year) cervical HPV16
- Autoimmune conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis or Crohn’s disease
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