Anal Cancer: Prevention & Treatment
- June 25, 2009 marked 15 years since Farrah Fawcett passed away following a battle with anal cancer, which she treated with chemotherapy. Now, thanks to the Farrah Fawcett Foundation, we’re reminded of the “Charlie’s Angel” star’s beauty and resilience in photos shared on the foundation’s social media page.
- Anal cancer is a disease in which cancer cells develop in the tissues of the anus, which is not easily diagnosed as there is no routine screenings to help monitor it. The disease develops when a genetic mutation turns normal healthy cells into abnormal cells in the anal canal. It’s a rare type of cancer and according to the National Institutes of Health, there is a “clear correlation” between anal cancer and the human papillomavirus (HPV).
- HPV, an extremely common sexually transmitted infection, is believed to cause most anal cancer. Thankfully, there is an effective vaccine approved for kids to protect against HPV and help prevent related cancers.
- Since Fawcett’s death, new clinical trials are now available for this disease. Advancements in immunotherapy for anal cancer have also made headway as treatment. Other treatments for anal cancer include radiation therapy, surgery, and chemotherapy.
Fawcett, who is known for being one of the original “Charlie’s Angels” and fought anal for three years, is often remembered through sweet photographs shared by her best friend Alana Stewart, who has become an advocate for the disease that took her friend’s life.
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Photos of a lively Fawcett are often shared on that Instagram account, with one of the captioned reading, “Her smile was infectious,” and another saying, ” and another describing her as a “natural beauty.”
On the 15th anniversary of Fawcett’s passing, the foundation shared a heartwarming video featuring photos of the late star and accompanied by the song “Calling All Angels” by Train.
“Remembering Farrah 15 years since her passing. An Icon, Actress, Artist, Athlete, Friend and Mother. The golden girl that defined a generation,” the captioned read.
“Her foundation continues to honor her wishes to help in the fight against cancer. #farrahfawcett #icon #alwaysinourthoughts #alwaysinourhearts.”
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Stewart also posted a photo of Fawcett on Instagram to commemorate 15 years since her passing, writing alongside a black-and-white image of the four-time Primetime Emmy Award nominee and six-time Golden Globe Award nominee, “Remembering Farrah…
“15 years today since her passing with some of her more well known photos as well as some not so familiar. RIP my sweet sister. I think of you every day.”
Fawcett’s beloved friend also previously spoke with SurvivorNet of being Fawcett’s closest advocate throughout her courageous cancer journey.
She told SurvivorNet in an earlier interview, “Fawcett once said to one of her doctors, ‘I’m almost glad I have cancer.’ And the doctor said ‘Why would you say that Farrah?’ ‘Because now I know I can make a difference.’ I never forgot those words.
“She wanted to bring more awareness about this cancer and about cancer in general and what people go through.”
As for the emotional journey Stewart endured before her best friend passed away, she explained, “In those last few months, I used to come homeI would be with her most of the day and into the night and I would come home and just feel shattered.
“I would get into a hot bath tub and just lie there and cry. And I had this dog, Lolita, that I loved so much…She would come in and lie down next to me in the bathtub. She would know I was sad, so that was kind of my support.”
She also noted that she “didn’t share a lot with anyone else … I kept it to myself,” adding, “I didn’t want to discuss private details about Farrah; it was tough.”
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Stewart also recounted Fawcett’s medical team saying they’ve never seen anyone work so hard to battle a disease as much as the “Charlie’s Angel” did.
“People almost need permission to let go when it’s time, but her doctor and nurses had said they’d never seen anyone this strong and fight it as hard as she did,” Stewart said.
“I want her legacy to live on. I want the foundation to be able to work in her name so she wouldn’t die in vain,” she added. “Obviously she has a legacy, she was a superb actress, a huge celebrity and a star in so many ways, but this was her most important legacy.”
When Fawcett, who rose to fame in 1976 and was often recognized by her signature wavy hairstyle, passed, she left behind her son Redmond O’Neal, who she shared with former partner Ryan O’Neal.
Farrah Fawcett’s Anal Cancer Journey
Fawcett, best known for her roles in the TV series “Charlie’s Angels” and films like “Logan’s Run” and Saturn 3″ bravely fought anal cancer since she was first diagnosed in 2006. She was declared cancer-free in 2007 at the age of 60, however the cancer returned spreading to her liver. In 2009 the actress and model succumbed to the disease at age 62.
A documentary chronicling her life provided insight to her cancer journey. Fawcett’s “Charlie’s Angels” co-star, Jaclyn Smith, said the disease revealed how strong Fawcett really was.
“There were no barriers,” Smith said in the documentary. “You know how people put up barriers or walls of politeness where they don’t talk about this, or they don’t talk about that. She always thought that she would get well.”
Fawcett’s former assistant Mike Pingel told Fox News, “Farrah fought as hard as she could,” referring to her brave bout with cancer.
“All of it was to be here for Redmond, her child. Redmond was her moon, her stars, her sky, her heart…She fought tooth and nail to continue to live, to be with him,” Pingel added.
“And she documented her journey through cancer because she wanted to help others. Farrah was not only an icon, but she wanted to help everybody with her life.”
Understanding Anal Cancer
Anal cancer is a rare tumor that’s most often linked to human papillomavirus (HPV) according to the National Institutes of Health.
There’s a good chance you have HPV if you’re sexually active. However, for most people, it won’t cause any problems. HPV affects both men and women and in a small percentage, it can lead to cancer most commonly of the cervix and head and neck.
WATCH: Understanding anal cancer.
Anal Cancer Symptoms
Anal cancer symptoms can include:
- Bleeding from the anus or rectum
- Pain around the anus
- A mass or growth in the anal canal
- Anal itching
These symptoms do not always mean anal cancer as they can stem from benign conditions, like hemorrhoids, anal fissures, or anal warts. If you have any of these symptoms and are concerned something more is going on, it’s to see your doctor so that the cause can be found and treated, if needed.
“These symptoms usually do not develop overnight. Often patients will have symptoms such as pain and bleeding,” Dr. Julian Sanchez, surgeon in Moffitt Cancer Center’s Gastrointestinal Oncology Clinic told SurvivorNet.
A combination of chemotherapy and radiation is commonly used to treat anal cancer.
“If anal cancer is not treated early and effectively, the survival odds decrease and patients usually have to have major surgery to remove their anus and rectum,” Dr. Sanchez said.
Cancer warriors battling anal cancer who didn’t begin treatment early enough tend to need a permanent colostomy bag, a small pouch that collects waste from the body.
Anal Cancer Risk Factors and Prevention
- Older age. Most cases occur in people over 50.
- Many sexual partners.
- Anal sex.
- Smoking.
- History of cancer.
- Human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV infection increases your risk of several cancers including anal and cervical cancer.
- Drugs or conditions that suppress the immune system.
To reduce your risk of anal cancer: Practice safe sex, Stop Smoking, and Get the HPV vaccine. The American Cancer Society recommended that children aged 9-11 get the HPV vaccine, with catch-up vaccinations available for those up to age 26.
Talking About Anal Cancer
It’s more crucial than ever to talk about cancers that may be perceived as “embarrassing” or “shameful.” Lillian Kreppel, a member of the SurvivorNet family who beat anal cancer, said that she’s really open about what she went through because most people simply aren’t open enough about it.
“The word anal … that’s the big deal. People don’t want to say it. People don’t want to talk about it,” Lillian said. “Not long ago people didn’t want to talk about colonoscopies.
“There’s a stigma because people are embarrassed about where it is, and I want to get rid of that stigma. We use that part of our body everyday, so what’s the big deal?”
Another actress, Marcia Cross of “Desperate Housewives,” also recently brought some attention to the disease. The actress announced in September of 2018 that she, too, had anal cancer and is now in the recovery process.
Actor Marcia Cross Says She’s Lucky to Have Beaten Cancer, but the Feeling of Safety Is Gone
Every bit of candid conversation about the topic helps, especially because anal cancer is one of the cancers that a person can develop because of HPV (human papillomavirus). HPV is spread through sexual contact and is hugely wide-spread in Western culture and yes, it can lead to a handful of cancers, so awareness is key.
Get the Facts: HPV Can Cause Cancer in Men Too
Contributing: SurvivorNet Staff
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