There are more than 200 types of cancer that can affect the human body. They occur when abnormal cells divide and spread uncontrollably.
Symptoms of cancer therefore typically relate to the affected area of the body, although this is not always the case.
With this in mind, one expert took to YouTube to share five telltale signs of anal cancer that should prompt a visit to your GP.
This is a rare disease that starts in the anus – the part of the large bowel that opens to the outside of the body.
Speaking to his more than 200,000 subscribers, Doctor James O’Donovan said: “Anal cancer can start in any part of the anus and how serious anal cancer is going to depend on lots of different factors.
“Things like where it starts, as well as how big it is, if it’s spread, as well as your general health.”
However, he stipulated that these symptoms are not definitely linked to cancer as they can have other causes.
“Before we cover these symptoms I really want to make it clear that many of them are non-specific,” he explained.
“This means that just because you’ve got these symptoms it does not necessarily mean you have anal cancer.
“That’s because many of these symptoms are seen in other conditions and less serious problems, things like piles, which medically are called haemorrhoids, as well as anal fissure, this is where there is a break in the anal mucosa which can be very painful when you go to open your bowels.”
The five symptoms to look for are:
- Bleeding from the bottom
- Itching or pain
- Lumps
- Discharge
- A change in your poo.
Again he highlighted how bleeding from the bottom can be caused by other issues.
Dr O’Donovan said: “Many people do develop bleeding from the bottom for many reasons now these are things like piles or haemorrhoids, which are the little veins that pouch out especially if you’re very constipated.
“But if you notice bleeding from the bottom it is usually best to speak to your health provider about it.
“Pharmacists can often help with things like piles but if it’s more serious or if the bleeding has been going on for some time then it’s always best to speak to your doctor.”
He continued: “The second possible sign and symptom is itching or pain around the anus.
“Thirdly, small lumps around or inside the bottom. Fourthly, a discharge of mucus from the bottom that doesn’t seem to be going away.”
Symptoms of anal cancer could affect your toilet habits.
“Fifthly having problems controlling when you poo,” he said.
“So bowel incontinence or needing to poo often with looser, runnier poos or feeling that despite going for a poo it hasn’t all come out and your bottom still feels full.”
But he added: “In some cases anal cancer may have no symptoms at all or they might be really hard to spot so I’d advise you to speak to your doctor if you’ve noticed any of the symptoms and signs that we’ve just discussed or if you’ve noticed changes around your bottom which are not normal for you.
“I want to stress again that having these symptoms does not definitely mean that you’ve got anal cancer but for your own peace of mind it’s usually better to be seen by them even if you do have something like anal cancer the earlier it’s detected the more treatable it is.”
