- Anal cancer is a rare type of cancer that affects the anus.
- The anus is where your bowel connects to the outside of your body (the bottom).
- Anal cancer can start in any part of the anus.
- It's usually caused by an infection called human papillomavirus (HPV).
- Getting the HPV vaccine can help prevent anal cancer.
- How serious anal cancer is depends on where it starts, how big it is, if it spreads and your general health.
What is anal cancer?
Page last reviewed: 11 March 2024
Next review due: 11 March 2027