March 15, 2026 — As anal cancer diagnoses have nearly doubled over the past two decades, a new toolkit has been launched to support women facing this challenging disease. The initiative, developed by St Vincent’s Hospital in Darlinghurst and researchers from the University of Sydney, seeks to provide accurate information and dispel myths surrounding anal cancer.
Simone Annis, a Canberra-based artist, was taken by surprise when she was diagnosed with anal cancer shortly before her 50th birthday. Despite being fit and healthy, the diagnosis came as a shock, compounded by the lack of information and the stigma she encountered online. “There was a lot of shame and stigma, which I actually didn’t feel at all,” Annis said. “I decided straight away that I was going to be very honest with everyone, my friends and my family, and use the word anal.”
Rising Incidence and the Role of HPV
The rise in anal cancer cases is significant, with a 75 percent increase in women and a 25 percent increase in men since the 1980s. Women account for more than 60 percent of diagnoses, and nine in ten cases are linked to the human papillomavirus (HPV), a common sexually transmitted infection. The age-standardised rate has increased from 1.8 to 2.2 cases per 100,000 people since 2001.
Professor Richard Hillman, who leads one of Australia’s few dedicated anal cancer clinics, notes that many patients struggle with the stigma of their diagnosis. “There’s a lack of awareness, not just in the general community, but in many healthcare professionals as well,” Hillman said. “Often, the women feel a little bit abandoned.”
The Toolkit: Breaking Down Barriers
The newly launched toolkit aims to address these issues by providing reliable information for both patients and healthcare professionals. It offers guidance on discussing the disease and navigating diagnosis and treatment. This resource is particularly crucial for women who have not been vaccinated against HPV, as the virus can be transmitted to the anus and lead to cancer.
Mary Hayes, a PhD candidate and nurse at St Vincent’s, explained that the toolkit was developed from interviews with women who shared their experiences of feeling isolated and dismissed by healthcare professionals. “A lot of these women that we spoke to didn’t tell their family, their friends – they maybe had one person who knew about their diagnosis,” Hayes said. “It can be very isolating, very lonely.”
Impact of HPV Vaccination Programs
The introduction of the national HPV vaccination program has been a significant step in reducing HPV-related cancers. Since 2007, girls have been offered free vaccinations, with the program extending to boys in 2013. As of 2023, 86 percent of 15-year-old girls and 83 percent of boys were fully immunized. This initiative is expected to lead Australia to become the first country to eliminate cervical cancer within the next decade.
Professor Hillman believes that the success of the HPV vaccination program can serve as a model for increasing awareness and early diagnosis of anal cancer. “If caught early, anal cancer can be treated with surgery rather than radiotherapy, which can cause long-term changes to skin, surrounding tissue, and sexual function,” Hillman said. “It’s a really devastating, tough, life-changing disease. These poor women need as much help as they can get.”
Looking Forward: The Path to Awareness and Prevention
Dr. Suzanne Mahady, a gastroenterologist and clinical epidemiologist at Monash University, emphasizes the importance of universal HPV vaccinations in reducing anal cancer rates. However, she notes that significant reductions will take decades. “While some of my patients can feel awkward discussing anal and rectal issues, people should not be afraid to visit their doctor if they notice unusual symptoms,” Mahady said.
The rollout of the toolkit across cancer clinics in New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia represents a crucial step in supporting women diagnosed with anal cancer. By providing comprehensive resources and fostering open discussions, the initiative aims to reduce stigma and improve outcomes for those affected by this often-overlooked disease.
