Anal cancer, a rare digestive system cancer, is witnessing a sharp spike among older women in the US. A significant jump in cases has especially been recorded among white and Hispanic women, an unlikely group for this cancer, according to a new study presented at Digestive Disease Week (DDW) 2025.
People living with HIV, men from the LGBTQ community, organ transplant recipients, and women with a history of vulvar cancer or pre-cancerous conditions are more at risk of this gastrointestinal cancer.
In the new study, researchers studied data from the National Cancer Institute from 2017 to 2021 and found an alarming trend. They discovered that anal cancer has increased by 2.9% for women and 1.6% for men in the five year period. The concerning spike has been registered in a population group not traditionally associated with anal cancer - white and Hispanic women.
“Rates of anal cancer are rising fastest among white and Hispanic women over 65 — groups not traditionally considered high risk,” said lead author Dr. Ashley Robinson, a second-year internal medicine resident at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital.
According to the study White women above 65 years witnessed a huge spike, with a 4.3% spike over the five-year period, reaching 11.4 cases per 100,000 people in 2021.
Hispanic women in the same age group, with 7.5 cases per 100,000 saw a more gradual yearly increase of 1.7%.
Researchers say anal cancer cases in women over 65 may double in less than 17 years, if the trend continues.
What is anal cancer
Anal cancer begins in your anus’s tissues or the lining of your anal canal- the path that connects your anus to your rectum or the lower part of your digestive system. If treated at an early stage, the cancer is treatable.
Symptoms of anal cancer include rectal bleeding, especially during bowel movements, a lump or mass, pain, a change in your bowel movements, such as frequency or consistency of your stools, leaking stool, feeling the constant need to poop.
While exact cause of anal cancer is unknown 90% of cases are linked to certain types of human papilloma virus (HPV). Majority of people with HPV, however, don’t get anal cancer.
Why anal cancer cases are increasing among older women in USA
Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine was approved by the FDA in 2006 and was primarily recommended for those aged 9 to 26. The aim is to administer it before potential exposure to HPV through sexual activity.
Anal cancer cases may be increasing among women over 65 because they were beyond the recommended vaccination age when the vaccine became widely available.
“While the exact reasons behind this trend remain unclear, most older women were beyond the recommended age for human papillomavirus vaccination when it first became widely available," said Robinson.
How to control this surge
Like all types of cancer, there is no sure shot way to prevent anal cancer. However, one can reduce the risk of developing it by not smoking, practicing safe sex, and most importantly by getting the human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccine if you are eligible for it. This vaccine not only prevents anal cancer, but also cancers of the mouth and throat, cervical cancer and penile cancer.
“It’s crucial that we promote HPV vaccination as a key tool for preventing anal cancer, while also keeping health care providers informed as screening guidelines evolve,” Dr. Robinson said. “These findings highlight specific patient groups who may benefit from targeted screening for anal HPV and anal cancer.”
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People living with HIV, men from the LGBTQ community, organ transplant recipients, and women with a history of vulvar cancer or pre-cancerous conditions are more at risk of this gastrointestinal cancer.
In the new study, researchers studied data from the National Cancer Institute from 2017 to 2021 and found an alarming trend. They discovered that anal cancer has increased by 2.9% for women and 1.6% for men in the five year period. The concerning spike has been registered in a population group not traditionally associated with anal cancer - white and Hispanic women.
“Rates of anal cancer are rising fastest among white and Hispanic women over 65 — groups not traditionally considered high risk,” said lead author Dr. Ashley Robinson, a second-year internal medicine resident at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital.
According to the study White women above 65 years witnessed a huge spike, with a 4.3% spike over the five-year period, reaching 11.4 cases per 100,000 people in 2021.
Hispanic women in the same age group, with 7.5 cases per 100,000 saw a more gradual yearly increase of 1.7%.
Researchers say anal cancer cases in women over 65 may double in less than 17 years, if the trend continues.
What is anal cancer
Anal cancer begins in your anus’s tissues or the lining of your anal canal- the path that connects your anus to your rectum or the lower part of your digestive system. If treated at an early stage, the cancer is treatable.
Symptoms of anal cancer include rectal bleeding, especially during bowel movements, a lump or mass, pain, a change in your bowel movements, such as frequency or consistency of your stools, leaking stool, feeling the constant need to poop.
While exact cause of anal cancer is unknown 90% of cases are linked to certain types of human papilloma virus (HPV). Majority of people with HPV, however, don’t get anal cancer.
Why anal cancer cases are increasing among older women in USA
Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine was approved by the FDA in 2006 and was primarily recommended for those aged 9 to 26. The aim is to administer it before potential exposure to HPV through sexual activity.
Anal cancer cases may be increasing among women over 65 because they were beyond the recommended vaccination age when the vaccine became widely available.
“While the exact reasons behind this trend remain unclear, most older women were beyond the recommended age for human papillomavirus vaccination when it first became widely available," said Robinson.
How to control this surge
Like all types of cancer, there is no sure shot way to prevent anal cancer. However, one can reduce the risk of developing it by not smoking, practicing safe sex, and most importantly by getting the human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccine if you are eligible for it. This vaccine not only prevents anal cancer, but also cancers of the mouth and throat, cervical cancer and penile cancer.
“It’s crucial that we promote HPV vaccination as a key tool for preventing anal cancer, while also keeping health care providers informed as screening guidelines evolve,” Dr. Robinson said. “These findings highlight specific patient groups who may benefit from targeted screening for anal HPV and anal cancer.”
Video
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