Anal cancer and stigma
People who have anal cancer have to deal with something more than just having cancer. That something more is stigma. Stigma describes the negative attitudes that we have toward someone or something that we see as unacceptable or undesirable. It it often based on unfair or inaccurate beliefs.
The stigma around anal cancer likely exists because the anus is where poop comes out, and because having receptive anal intercourse (receiving anal sex) and having many sexual partners increases the risk of the disease. People think talking about these body functions or activities is impolite or gross or that people who develop anal cancer somehow deserve it. These thoughts create and add to the stigma of anal cancer.
Your trusted source for accurate cancer information
With just $5 from readers like you, we can continue to provide the highest quality cancer information for over 100 types of cancer.
We’re here to ensure easy access to accurate cancer information for you and the millions of people who visit this website every year. But we can’t do it alone.
If everyone reading this gave just $5, we could achieve our goal this month to fund reliable cancer information, compassionate support services and the most promising research. Please give today because every contribution counts. Thank you.