In Sweet Photo "Desperate Housewives’" Marcia Cross Poses With Dad; After Cancer, Family Time Is Precious

Related: Overcoming Their Fears Together How Marcia Cross and Her Husband Got Through Their Cancers

In 2018, Cross told fans that she was undergoing treatment for anal cancer  a type of cancer that's not often discussed due to stigma. Cross revealed that the cancer was caused by the sexually transmitted virus Human papillomavirus infection (HPV). Her husband, Tom Mahoney, also battled throat cancer nearly a decade ago, and Cross believes her cancer was caused by the same HPV virus that gave her husband his cancer. As the couple have both experienced their own brushes with the disease, they do still worry for their health, but it makes them cherish every moment of their time together.

“I don’t know that I’ll ever feel safe that,” Cross tells SurvivorNet. “‘Is this going to be my last Christmas?’ That never goes away. It’s when you really think you might lose your life and everything becomes heightened, and you’re able to cherish it in the way that we should every day.”

Marcia Cross talks to SurvivorNet about her anal cancer diagnosis, and the family dynamic

Marcia Cross: Cancer Survivor, Actress, Advocate

After being declared cancer-free, Cross has become an advocate for removing stigma around the HPV vaccine and anal cancer. Throughout her treatment, the actress hared photos of her cancer journey ranging from her hair growing back and building her strength. She’s been determined to address her cancer full on, and push against the idea that HPV-related cancers are taboo, especially in regards to anal cancer.

"For some reason this is our last taboo," Cross says. "Our last body part that we just haven't talked about and now I'm going the other way. I really think that people should revere their anuses because you can lose a breast, you can lose a kidney … but we have one beautiful anus and you want it to be healthy."

Related: 'Get Your Pap Tests, Ladies!' Actor Marcia Cross Advocates for Screening During Cervical Cancer Awareness Month

Cross credits a persistent doctor with catching her cancer early, and urges others to be vigilant about cancer screening.

"It's vitally important that every gynecologist give their patients digital rectal exams," Cross says. "It's life or death, so you put on your big girl underpants and you get over it and you get to [doing] what you've got to do."

Marcia Cross and her husband talk about how they got through cancer together

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