What Is Anal Cancer?
1. How Does Someone Get Anal Cancer?
As with any type of cancer, there are many different contributing factors that cause someone to develop anal cancer. The most common way someone gets anal cancer is by having human papillomavirus (HPV), which causes anal squamous cell carcinomas. However, just because a person has HPV does not mean he or she will get cancer.
Having a weak immune system (e.g. people diagnosed with HIV/AIDS) and smoking are also directly related to anal cancer. Additionally, having more than one sex partner and participating in anal sex puts someone at a higher risk of developing HPV and HIV, thereby increasing his or her risk of getting anal cancer.
