Listen to “**March is Anal Cancer Awareness Month**” on Spreaker.
Illuminating A Taboo Cancer On the Rise, with a Primary Risk Factor That’s More Common Than You THINK
THIS SERIOUS, RARE, AND MISUNDERSTOOD CANCER HAS A PRIMARY RISK FACTOR THAT IS MORE PREVALENT THAN YOU MIGHT THINK. HUMAN PAPILLOMAVIRUS OR HPV—A COMMON VIRUS TRANSMITTED BY SKIN-TO-SKIN CONTACT—IS THE NUMBER ONE RISK FACTOR FOR ANAL CANCER.1,2
MARCH IS ANAL CANCER AWARENESS MONTH. JOINING US TO SPEAK ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF TALKING OPENLY ABOUT THE RISK FACTORS AND SYMPTOMS OF THIS CANCER THAT CAN BE DIFFICULT TO TALK ABOUT ARE ANAL CANCER SPECIALIST, DR. PAUL ROMESSER [ROME-EH-SIR], AND LILLIAN KREPPEL [LILL-EE-IN KREH-PELL], ANAL CANCER SURVIVOR AND CO-FOUNDER AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE HPV CANCERS ALLIANCE.
BIO- Paul Romesser, MD
Colorectal and Anal Cancer Specialist
Dr. Paul Romesser is a board-certified radiation oncologist specializing in the treatment of colorectal and anal cancer. He is also actively involved in anal cancer clinical trials. Dr. Romesser is passionate about helping patients navigate the complexities of cancer care and create personalized treatment plans tailored to their needs.
BIO-Lillian Kreppel
Co-Founder and Executive Director of HPV Cancers Alliance
Lillian is an anal cancer “thriver,” patient advocate and the Co-Founder and Executive Director of HPV Cancers Alliance, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness of human papilloma virus (HPV) and the cancers it can cause. She was diagnosed with HPV-related anal cancer in 2017 and has been a passionate activist and changemaker for the HPV and anal cancer community ever since.
In her own words, “No one should die from HPV – education and self-advocacy can save your life. HPV desperately needs a voice. I AM THAT VOICE!”
The bottom line: Get informed and speak up about risk factors, symptoms, and better care at all stages
Anal cancer can go undetected as it shares many of the same symptoms as common, non-cancer conditions.1 Further, people experiencing symptoms can be embarrassed to discuss them with their doctor and unaware of the key risk factors for anal cancer, which may lead to a delayed diagnosis. Open and honest communication is critical with this cancer, as early diagnosis may help improve outcomes.2
The #1 risk factor for anal cancer is human papillomavirus (HPV), a common virus transmitted by skin-to-skin contact.2,3 Other key facts about HPV include:
Nearly all sexually active people will be infected with HPV at some point in their lives.4
A healthy immune system will rid most HPV infections within two years before they cause precancer cell changes.4
Approximately 90% of anal cancers are associated with HPV infection.5
While anal cancer is rare, its incidence is on the rise.6
Squamous cell carcinoma of the anal canal (SCAC) is the most common type of anal cancer, accounting for about 90% of all anal cancers.7
On Wednesday, March 19, in recognition of Anal Cancer Awareness Month, Lillian Kreppel, Executive Director and Co-Founder of the HPV Cancers Alliance (hpvca.org), and colorectal and anal cancer specialist, Dr. Paul Romesser, is going to discuss their personal and expert perspectives about the condition and the importance of open conversations with healthcare providers at all stages of the journey.
Together, Lillian and Dr. Romesser aim to raise national awareness of anal cancer and its connection to HPV, as well as inspire more open and comfortable communication and better care at all stages. No one is alone in this journey.
#analcancer #cancer
