“Desperate Housewives” Star, Marcia Cross Shares Her Battle With Anal Cancer & How To Spot The Symptoms
Actress Marcia Cross, 57 is opening up on battling anal cancer and why the stigmatisation around it needs to stop.
The 57-year-old former ‘Desperate Housewives’ star was first diagnosed in November 2017 during her annual checkup with her gynaecologist, but after months of treatment is finally ready to share her story.
The Hollywood star told PEOPLE exclusively;
“I want to help put a dent in the stigma around anal cancer. I’ve read a lot of cancer-survivor stories, and many people, women especially were too embarrassed to say what kind of cancer they had. There is a lot of shame about it. I want that to stop.”
Speaking further, the mother-of-two said after her rectal digital exam, her doctor immediately sent her to a colon and rectal surgeon. After 2 biopsies, she was told she had anal cancer and she began 6 weeks of radiation and chemotherapy. She said;
“Surgery wasn’t recommended, which was a relief. You want to preserve sphincter muscles if possible. Having woken up to its importance, I am now a big fan of the anus!”
The actress whose fire-red mane sets the screen ablaze, described the experience as “gnarly” but says she feels better now, and is nearly on year in remission.
“Every time I go to the bathroom, I think, ‘That’s awesome! Thank you, body’ ”.
Now, she wants “to help put a dent in the stigma around anal cancer.”
“I’ve read a lot of cancer-survivor stories, and many people, women especially, were too embarrassed to say what kind of cancer they had. There is a lot of shame about it. I want that to stop”.
Marcia who also starred on “Melrose Place” said that having being told of how “difficult” treatment would be, she decided to find humour in it.
“In the beginning, I just sort of lay down for the parting of the cheeks and I would float away, because what are you going to do?”
She shares advice for everyone, saying people should be aware of the symptoms of anal cancer — which can include anal bleeding, pain, itching and lumps.
“If something doesn’t feel right, listen to your body and talk to your doctor. Don’t let it go. It’s a very curable cancer if caught early, which mine was. If you or a loved one are diagnosed, the Anal Cancer Foundation is an amazing resource. And one I turned to often.”
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What is anal cancer?
According to the NHS, anal cancer is a rare type of cancer that affects the anus (end of the bowel). About 1,300 people are diagnosed with cancer of the anus each year in the UK.
What are the symptoms of anal cancer?
Though some people will experience no symptoms at all, according to Dr Richard Sarsam, consultant gastroenterologist at BMI The Princess Margaret Hospital, symptoms can be similar to more common and less serious conditions affecting the anus – the end of the bowel – such as piles (haemorrhoids) and anal fissures (small tears or sores).
Dr Sarsam recommends looking out for bleeding, itching and pain around the anus, small lumps around it, a discharge of mucus and loss of bowel control.
Other symptoms of anal cancer can include:
- bleeding from the bottom (rectal bleeding)
- itching and pain around the anus
- small lumps around the anus
- a discharge of mucus from the anus
- loss of bowel control (bowel incontinence)
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Dr Sarsam adds;
“Some people with anal cancer do not experience any symptoms at all, but if you are experiencing any of the above it’s good to get them checked by a doctor”.
“It’s probably not due to anal cancer, but a doctor will be able to advise after they’ve carried out or arranged for some additional tests.”
Treatments
The most effective treatment for anal cancer is chemoradiation, which is a combination of chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
The NHS says a few hospitals now offer tablet chemotherapy for anal cancer. Surgery is a less common treatment option for anal cancer.
It’s usually only considered if the tumour is small and can be easily removed, or if chemoradiation hasn’t worked.
Risk factors of anal cancer
Though the exact cause of anal cancer is unknown, the NHS says a number of factors can increase your risk of developing the condition including:
- infection with human papilloma virus (HPV) – a common and usually harmless group of viruses spread through sexual contact, which can affect the moist membranes lining your body
- having anal sex or lots of sexual partners – possibly because this increases your risk of developing HPV
- having a history of cervical, vaginal or vulval cancer
- smoking
- having a weakened immune system – for example, if you have HIV
Age can also have an impact in the risk factor of anal cancer, with half of all cases diagnosed in people aged 65 or over. And according to the National Cancer Institute, most anal cancer diagnosis occur in people over the age of 50.
The condition is also more common in women than men.
Prevention
According to Cancer Research UK using condoms every time you have sex can lower your chances of getting HPV. But HPV can infect areas that are not covered by a condom so they don’t reduce the risk completely.
Some studies have also shown that smoking increases the risk of anal cancer, so quitting could help reduce your anal cancer risk.