‘Desperate Housewives’ Star Marcia Cross, 62, On Reducing The Stigma Associated With Anal Cancer: ‘I Know That There Are People That Are Ashamed’

“I know that there are people that are ashamed. You have cancer,” she explained. “Do you then have also to feel ashamed like you did something bad, you know, because it took up residence in your anus?”

“I mean, come on, really, there’s enough on your plate,” she added.

Although the interview was done a few years back, we admire Cross’ ability to become comfortable with her diagnosis and obtain the courage to spread awareness.

Referring to how she has embraced the word “anus,” admitted, “you just have to get used to it.”

She also insisted that one’s “critical voice is no longer acceptable” amid a diagnosis, she added, “It is no longer allowed. That is the real cancer.”

In another interview with Coping Magazine, Cross also admitted that she was never interesting in “becoming the anal cancer spokesperson.”

Cross explained, “I wanted to move on with my career and my life.But, as I was going through it, I read repeatedly about people who were ashamed, who were hiding, who were lying about their diagnosis.

“And on the other side, how doctors were not comfortable talking about it. And women were not given the follow up care they needed. They weren’t told things like your vagina could develop scar tissue, which it does. And you have to do things afterward to take care of yourself. I just saw how, oh my gosh, we are so behind on all of this because it’s our anuses!”

She continued, “For whatever reason, I don’t have any shame about that. I’m a big fan of the anus … I just have a lot of respect for this tiny, little two inches that makes our lives livable and pleasant.

“I really think to destigmatize it is the way to go. It’s just silly … We all have one. It’s nothing to be embarrassed or ashamed of.”

Marcia Cross discussed her experience with anal cancer with SurvivorNet. 

What’s Cancer Stigma?

Cancer stigma is a complex umbrella term that refers to negative attitudes and beliefs about people with cancer and the social exclusion that is usually associated with those attitudes. Stigma can take many forms, including prejudice and discrimination, social exclusion, and blame.

What’s shocking is that the most common form of stigmatization comes from patients’ own family and friends, who didn’t want to be around them because they thought the person had an incurable disease (a disease they could get).

The Anal Cancer Foundation advises, “Feelings of stigma may be related to the anus being associated with the elimination of bodily waste and the risk factors associated with anal cancer, including HPV and sexual activity. These factors may contribute to some people’s feelings of embarrassment—but they shouldn’t!

“That is why it is important to understand anal cancer. Not only has the taboo associated with this part of the body made it difficult for people to disclose a diagnosis to family and friends, it has prevented equitable resources and funding for support, research and better treatments.”

Marcia Cross Cancer Journey

Cross was diagnosed with anal cancer In November 2017, after going to an annual checkup at her gynecologist. Her doctor felt something unusual during a digital rectal exam, directing her to a clinic for a followup exam. Two biopsies and one colonoscopy later, it was confirmed she had cancer.

The National Cancer Institute says, “Most anal cancers are related to human papillomavirus (HPV) infection.” Common signs include bleeding from the anus or a lump near the anus.

Cross has been public about her cancer fight and admitted chemotherapy was challenging, but the cancer warrior fought through it.

“I will say that when I had my first chemo treatment, I thought I was doing great. And then, out of nowhere, I felt this sting on my lip; it was excruciating. It was from the chemo,” Cross told Coping magazine in an earlier interview.

Speaking to SurvivorNet in a previous interview about how her cancer diagnosis was HPV-related, Cross said, “I didn’t have any symptoms.

“Never had an irregular pap smear. I had never heard of HPV until my husband. We both probably carried it for most of our lives. I think there’s just a vast lack of knowledge about HPV and how it’s spread, how we carry it, what happens to it when you have it.”

Cross confirmed with her fans, on an Instagram post back in September 2018, that she had beat cancer was was “all good now.”

She wrote, “Hard journey, but I am HEALTHY, happy, and more present and grateful than ever.

“Thank you from the bottom of my ever exampling heart [and] for all your LOVE.”

Understanding Anal Cancer

According to the National Cancer Institute, anal cancer is a disease in which cancer cells develop in the tissues of the anus. And a majority of this type of cancer is related to human papillomavirus (HPV) infection.

The institute explains, “The anus is the end of the large intestine, below the rectum, through which stool (solid waste) leaves the body. The anus is formed partly from the outer skin layers of the body and partly from the intestine. Two ring-like muscles, called sphincter muscles, open and close the anal opening and let stool pass out of the body. The anal canal, the part of the anus between the rectum and the anal opening, is about 1-1½ inches long.

“The skin around the outside of the anus is called the perianal area. Tumors of the perianal skin that do not involve the anal sphincter are usually treated the same as anal cancers, although local therapy (treatment directed to a limited area of skin) may be used for some.”

Dr. Julian Sanchez, a surgeon in Moffitt Cancer Center’s Gastrointestinal Oncology Clinic, previously spoke with SurvivorNet about the warning signs of anal cancer. He explained, “Putting diagnosis and treatment on the back burner [can lead] to the poor prognosis .These symptoms usually do not develop overnight. Often patients will have symptoms such as pain and bleeding.”

“If anal cancer is not treated early and effectively, the survival odds decrease and patients usually have to have major surgery to remove their anus and rectum,” Dr. Sanchez said. “They will also need a permanent colostomy bag, a small pouch that collects waste from the body.”

While anal cancer may have no symptoms at all, in most cases, bleeding is often the first sign of the disease, according to the American Cancer Society. At first, many people assume the bleeding is caused by hemorrhoids, which are a benign and fairly common cause of rectal bleeding.

Important symptoms of anal cancer include:

• Rectal bleeding
• Rectal itching
• A lump or mass at the anal opening
• Pain or a feeling of fullness in the anal area
• Narrowing of stool or other changes in bowel movements
• Abnormal discharge from the anus
• Swollen lymph nodes in the anal or groin areas

While these symptoms may also be caused by benign conditions, like hemorrhoids, anal fissures, or anal warts, if you have any of them, it’s important to have them checked by a doctor so that the cause can be found and treated, if needed.

HPV’s Cancer Link

HPV infection is linked to multiple cancers, and most sexually active people will get the disease at some point in their lives.

Although nearly all cases of cervical cancer are indeed caused by HPV, people should also be aware that HPV puts both men and women at risk of developing several other cancers, such as oral cancer and cancers of the vagina, penis, anus, and throat.

Overall, HPV is believed to be the cause of 90% of anal and cervical cancers, approximately 70% of vaginal and vulvar cancers, and 60% of penile cancers.

“There are no screening guidelines to screen for throat cancer, unlike cervical cancer with pap smears,” says Dr. Jessica Geiger, a medical oncologist at Cleveland Clinic Cancer Center, previously told SurvivorNet. “There are no standard tests to determine if you harbor the virus.”

WATCH: Why the HPV Vaccine is so Important in Preventing Cancer

On the plus side, HPV-related throat cancers are generally very responsive to a combination of radiation and chemotherapy treatments, according to Dr. Geiger.

“The cure rates for people who have HPV-related disease are a lot higher than those who have tobacco-related throat cancer,” she said.

Protocols For Screening For Major Cancer Types & Understanding Health Guidelines

We love how Marcia Cross is using her cancer battle to help others understand the importance of early detection. For example, women in the U.S. are advised to start screening for breast cancer at age 40 and people with no family history of colon cancer should begin screening at age 45.

RELATED: Women Should Now Start Getting Mammograms at 40, Expert Panel Suggests: The Benefits and Potential Risks of Earlier Breast Cancer Screening

Additionally, cervical cancer screening is advised to begin at 25 with a primary HPV test (a more ‘sensitive’ test than a Pap test) and continue every 5 years, according to American Cancer Society (ACS) guidelines.

Colon Cancer Screening is Extremely Important; Guidelines Now Say to Start at Age 45 if There Is No Family History

As for skin cancer, seeing a dermatologist annually for a skin check is crucial to spot skin cancer and to prevent skin cancer from progressing. However, dermatologists also recommend taking a look at your own skin every month and looking for any changes that may indicate something is off.

“If you are at high risk for skin cancer, or you have a diagnosis of skin cancer already, we really emphasize the importance of a skin check,” Dr. Cecilia Larocca, a dermatologist in the Centers of Melanoma and Cutaneous Oncology at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, previously told SurvivorNet.

Dr. Cecilia Larocca explains what to look out for when doing a self skin check

Meanwhile, if you’re wondering whether the information on cancer screenings, which you read online, is reliable, here are a few ways:

The National Institutes of Health recommends that, as a rule, the sites you get medical information from should be sponsored by federal government agencies. Knowing who or what sponsors and hosts the website you’re reading from is important, too.

• .gov are government agencies
• .edu identifies an educational institution
• .org usually identifies nonprofit organizations
• .com identifies commercial website

Questions To Ask When Seeking Out Reliable Medical Info Online:

• Who wrote the information?
• Who reviewed it?
• When was the information written?
• What is the purpose of this website?

Dr. Jason Westin, leader of the diffuse large B-cell lymphoma research team at MD Anderson Cancer Center in the Department of Lymphoma and Myeloma, previously told SurvivorNet: “Make sure if you’re finding information on the internet about something that sounds too good to be true, talk to your doctor about it.

Contributing: SurvivorNet Staff

Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.

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