Although still a rare type of cancer, the number of anal cancer diagnoses are on the rise. “No other cancer has so many factors that prevent patients from seeking care,” said Syed Husain, MBBS, a colorectal cancer and anal cancer specialist at The James, and one of the leaders of The James Comprehensive Anal Cancer Screening Center. In this episode, Husain talks about how “this is a very private area of the body and there are social taboos that prevent patients from talking about issues in this area.” The symptoms of anal cancer (discomfort and bleeding, feeling a lump) are similar to the symptoms of hemorrhoids, which many patients choose to ignore, thinking the problem will go away on its own. These factors often lead to a delayed diagnoses in which the cancer has grown and even metastasized. Husain also discusses the factors that increase the risk factors for anal cancer, the screening process, as well as advances in treatment. The human papillomavirus (HPV) is the primary risk factor, and Husain explains how the HPV vaccine could lead to a significant reduction in the number of anal cancer cases. The James Comprehensive Anal Cancer Screening Center is unique, the only one in Ohio and one of only a handful in the United States. Patients are screened, diagnosed and treated in the center, often all in one visit, “which makes it easier for patients who live further away or may have transportation issues,” Husain said. Screening, especially for people who are at a higher risk, can lead to the detection and removal of pre-cancerous cells, or catching the disease in the early stages when “a minor operation can cure a patient,” Husain said.