Marcia Cross Survived Anal Cancer: 7 Symptoms of This Rare Disease ( courtecy;prevention today ) click slide show
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Marcia Cross Survived Anal Cancer: 7 Symptoms of This Rare Disease
The former Desperate Housewives star opened up about her anal cancer battle on Instagram.
On Wednesday, former Desperate Housewives star Marcia Cross revealed in a poignant Instagram post that she is “healthy” and “happy” after a recent battle with anal cancer — one of the more uncommon types of cancer.
The star first revealed she was battling cancer in a September 15 Instagram post, explaining that she had suffered hair loss as a result of the illness. “So grateful and happy to be alive but sad that my hair fell out and is about 1 inch long now and looks cra cra,” she wrote. She followed up with concerned fans the next day, adding that she was post-cancer. "All good now. Hard journey, but I am HEALTHY, happy, and more present and grateful than ever. Thank you from the bottom of my ever expanding heart for all of your LOVE,” she said.
Over a week later, she finally divulged the specific type of cancer she had beat. “If you were wondering,” she wrote, “I had #analcancer. I know, right?!”
What is anal cancer, exactly?
According to the American Cancer Society anal cancer is, well, pretty much just how it sounds. Anal cancer starts in the anus, the opening at the lower end of the intestines, where the end of the intestines connect to the outside of the body. It more commonlyoccurs in women, usually those over the age of 60. Those who are at increased risk include people infected with human papillomavirus (HPV) or HIV, smokers, and individuals with lower immunity.
Symptoms of anal cancer
In some cases there are no symptoms of anal cancer, but minor bleeding — often mistaken for hemorrhoids— is usually the first sign of the disease. However, aside from rectal bleeding there are several other symptoms that can occur.
According to the American Cancer Society, symptoms can include:
- Rectal bleeding
- Rectal itching
- A lump or mass at the anal opening
- Pain or a feeling of fullness in the anal area
- Narrowing of stool or other changes in bowel movements
- Abnormal discharge from the anus
- Swollen lymph nodes in the anal or groin areas
It’s important to note that oftentimes these symptoms are more likely to be caused by benign, non-cancerous conditions such as hemorrhoids, anal fissures, or anal warts. So don’t freak out if you are experience one or more of them. However, if you do have any of them it’s critical to get checked out by your physician — the sooner the cause is detected, the more efficiently it can be treated. And as with most cancers, if detected in the earlier stages, the survival rate is significantly higher.
Marcia Cross isn't the only celebrity who has battled the rare cancer. In 2009, Charlie's Angels star Farrah Fawcett lost her battle with anal cancer.
While it may have been uncomfortable for Cross to open up about her health struggles, she too, is helping raise awareness for a health condition that isn't talked about enough. And we thank her for that!
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