This rare cancer starts in the lining of the back passage (anus). Symptoms include bleeding, bowel changes, pain around the back passage, and severe itching (pruritis). These symptoms could be caused by other conditions, therefore it’s important to seek medical advice if you have any of these symptoms. Examination by specialist is essential to decide if further diagnostic tests are required. This includes Examination Under Anaesthesia (EUA) of the back passage and taking samples (biopsies). The mainstay of treatment of anal cancer is combined chemotherapy and radiotherapy (chemoradiotherapy). Surgery might be required for very early stages of anal cancer, or if the cancer comes back or hasn’t gone completely after chemoradiotherapy.