Symptoms of anal cancer
Main symptoms of anal cancer
Symptoms of anal cancer can include:
- bleeding from your bottom
- itching and pain around your anus
- small lumps around and inside your bottom
- a discharge of mucus from your bottom
- having problems controlling when you poo (bowel incontinence)
- needing to poo often with looser, runnier poos
Anal cancer may have no symptoms at all, or they might be hard to spot.
Anal cancer symptoms are often similar to piles (haemorrhoids) and anal fissures, which are common and less serious conditions.
Non-urgent advice: See a GP if:
- you have symptoms of anal cancer
- you notice a change around your anus that is not normal for you
Important
These symptoms are very common and can be caused by many different conditions.
Having them does not definitely mean you have anal cancer. But it's important to get them checked by a GP.
This is because if they're caused by cancer, finding it early means treatment is more likely to be successful.
What happens at the GP appointment
The GP will ask you some questions about your health and your symptoms.
They may feel your tummy and insert a gloved finger into your bottom to feel for lumps or anything wrong.
After the GP examines you, they may refer you to see a specialist in hospital if they think more tests are needed.
You'll receive an appointment, usually within 2 weeks, if you have certain symptoms. This does not definitely mean you have cancer.
Page last reviewed: 11 March 2024
Next review due: 11 March 2027