Marcia Cross' Cancer Journey
- Marcia Cross revealed in 2018 that she had been diagnosed with anal cancer, an HPV-related disease
- Her husband, Tom Mahoney, battled throat cancer a decade ago
- Cross has become an advocate in eliminating shame associated with anal cancer, and she and Mahoney talked to SurvivorNet about how they overcame struggles together
Desperate Housewives star Marcia Cross isn’t going to let one moment with her family go to waste; she’s creating new, beautiful, memories with the people she loves most. A cancer diagnosis can really put things in perspective, and make you appreciate those most important to you like you never have before.
On Instagram, Cross, 58, shared a precious photo of her sporting matching pajamas with her 97-year-old father. While some may not understand how special this moment is, Cross knows the value in celebrating milestones with the people closest to you, especially after overcoming some very serious personal struggles.
Related: Overcoming Their Fears Together — How Marcia Cross and Her Husband Got Through Their Cancers
In 2018, Cross told fans that she was undergoing treatment for anal cancer — a type of cancer that’s not often discussed due to stigma. Cross revealed that the cancer was caused by the sexually transmitted virus Human papillomavirus infection (HPV). Her husband, Tom Mahoney, also battled throat cancer nearly a decade ago, and Cross believes her cancer was caused by the same HPV virus that gave her husband his cancer. As the couple have both experienced their own brushes with the disease, they do still worry for their health, but it makes them cherish every moment of their time together.
“I don’t know that I’ll ever feel safe that,” Cross tells SurvivorNet. “‘Is this going to be my last Christmas?’ That never goes away. It’s when you really think you might lose your life and everything becomes heightened, and you’re able to cherish it in the way that we should every day.”
Marcia Cross talks to SurvivorNet about her anal cancer diagnosis, and the family dynamic
Marcia Cross: Cancer Survivor, Actress, Advocate
After being declared cancer-free, Cross has become an advocate for removing stigma around the HPV vaccine and anal cancer. Throughout her treatment, the actress hared photos of her cancer journey ranging from her hair growing back and building her strength. She’s been determined to address her cancer full on, and push against the idea that HPV-related cancers are taboo, especially in regards to anal cancer.
“For some reason this is our last taboo,” Cross says. “Our last body part that we just haven’t talked about and now I’m going the other way. I really think that people should revere their anuses because you can lose a breast, you can lose a kidney … but we have one beautiful anus and you want it to be healthy.”
Related: ‘Get Your Pap Tests, Ladies!’ — Actor Marcia Cross Advocates for Screening During Cervical Cancer Awareness Month
Cross credits a persistent doctor with catching her cancer early, and urges others to be vigilant about cancer screening.
“It’s vitally important that every gynecologist give their patients digital rectal exams,” Cross says. “It’s life or death, so you put on your big girl underpants and you get over it and you get to [doing] what you’ve got to do.”
Marcia Cross and her husband talk about how they got through cancer together
Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.
Marcia Cross' Cancer Journey
- Marcia Cross revealed in 2018 that she had been diagnosed with anal cancer, an HPV-related disease
- Her husband, Tom Mahoney, battled throat cancer a decade ago
- Cross has become an advocate in eliminating shame associated with anal cancer, and she and Mahoney talked to SurvivorNet about how they overcame struggles together
star Marcia Cross isn’t going to let one moment with her family go to waste; she’s creating new, beautiful, memories with the people she loves most. A cancer diagnosis can really put things in perspective, and make you appreciate those most important to you like you never have before.
On Instagram, Cross, 58, shared a precious photo of her sporting matching pajamas with her 97-year-old father. While some may not understand how special this moment is, Cross knows the value in celebrating milestones with the people closest to you, especially after overcoming some very serious personal struggles.
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Related: Overcoming Their Fears Together — How Marcia Cross and Her Husband Got Through Their Cancers
In 2018, Cross told fans that she was undergoing treatment for anal cancer — a type of cancer that’s not often discussed due to stigma. Cross revealed that the cancer was caused by the sexually transmitted virus Human papillomavirus infection (HPV). Her husband, Tom Mahoney, also battled throat cancer nearly a decade ago, and Cross believes her cancer was caused by the same HPV virus that gave her husband his cancer. As the couple have both experienced their own brushes with the disease, they do still worry for their health, but it makes them cherish every moment of their time together.
“I don’t know that I’ll ever feel safe that,” Cross tells SurvivorNet. “‘Is this going to be my last Christmas?’ That never goes away. It’s when you really think you might lose your life and everything becomes heightened, and you’re able to cherish it in the way that we should every day.”
Marcia Cross talks to SurvivorNet about her anal cancer diagnosis, and the family dynamic
Marcia Cross: Cancer Survivor, Actress, Advocate
After being declared cancer-free, Cross has become an advocate for removing stigma around the HPV vaccine and anal cancer. Throughout her treatment, the actress hared photos of her cancer journey ranging from her hair growing back and building her strength. She’s been determined to address her cancer full on, and push against the idea that HPV-related cancers are taboo, especially in regards to anal cancer.
“For some reason this is our last taboo,” Cross says. “Our last body part that we just haven’t talked about and now I’m going the other way. I really think that people should revere their anuses because you can lose a breast, you can lose a kidney … but we have one beautiful anus and you want it to be healthy.”
Related: ‘Get Your Pap Tests, Ladies!’ — Actor Marcia Cross Advocates for Screening During Cervical Cancer Awareness Month
Cross credits a persistent doctor with catching her cancer early, and urges others to be vigilant about cancer screening.
“It’s vitally important that every gynecologist give their patients digital rectal exams,” Cross says. “It’s life or death, so you put on your big girl underpants and you get over it and you get to [doing] what you’ve got to do.”
Marcia Cross and her husband talk about how they got through cancer together
Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.
