Learning from others about their experience with anal cancer can be helpful, informative and a great way to feel connected. Read and listen to anal cancer stories from fellow community members about their experiences. These are not just survivor stories, but thriver stories from patients who have recovered and continued to thrive.

Remember that these anal cancer stories and the treatments described below are those of individual thrivers and may not reflect your experiences and treatment. Please ask your doctor before engaging in any activities mentioned in these stories to make sure they are right for you

Want to share your story? Email us at info@analcancerfoundation.org with ‘Share my Thriver Story’ in the subject line.

Nicole W.

Nicole W.

Nicole Willis 11/07/23 – In recovery for 9 months after having adenocarcinoma anal cancer stage...

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Benito P.

Benito P.

Hear Benito’s story, shared at our 2022 Anal Cancer Patient Summit. Sharing your story will...

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Melissa R.

Melissa R.

Hear Melissa’s story, shared at our 2022 Anal Cancer Patient Summit. Sharing your story will...

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Christine C.

Christine C.

In September 2018, I was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma of the anus (SCCA), Stage...

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Julie O.

Julie O.

This year is special for me and my family. We are going through the journey...

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Janet W.

Janet W.

My name is Janet, I was diagnosed with anal cancer in May 2011. Like many...

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Tim M.

Tim M.

My name is Tim McCrary, I was told at 34 years old that I had...

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Linda N.

Linda N.

Hi, My name is Linda. I was diagnosed with Stage 3 Anal Cancer in August, 2020. Due...

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Mary D.

Mary D.

Christine shares her grandmother’s anal cancer story.

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Margie W.

Margie W.

I was diagnosed in September 2021 with HPV strain 16 anal cancer stage 3A with...

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Irma P.

Irma P.

I am a wife, mother of two, and a kindergarten teacher. My journey began the...

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Jules S.

Jules S.

“I am.” August 13, 2018… & I could only ever dream about where ‘I Am’...

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Helen T.

Helen T.

In June 2019, I was diagnosed with Stage II Anal Cancer from the HPV 16...

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Stephanie S.

Stephanie S.

I’m Stephanie Stuart. I’m 56 years old and I’ve been an entertainer in Central Florida...

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Lynn P.

Lynn P.

I began having colonoscopies at 41 years of age due to a family history of...

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Kathleen A.

Kathleen A.

I can thank my late brother-in-law, my bicycle, and my surgeon for the relatively easy...

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Debra P.

Debra P.

I was diagnosed with anal cancer around Feb 6, 2014. Previously, my November 2012 colonoscopy,...

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Jill S.

Jill S.

In 2020, we had COVID-19, and I had what I thought was a hemorrhoid. I...

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Chiffon K.

Chiffon K.

The day I was diagnosed I expected lymphoma, not anal cancer. I have two autoimmune...

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Joyce K.

Joyce K.

My journey began in May of 2020. I had three things happen to me then:...

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Jennifer B.

Jennifer B.

My name is Jennifer Babcock and I am an 11-year anal cancer survivor. In the...

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Shana B.

Shana B.

My anal cancer story is very similar to others who have gone through it: hemorrhoids...

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JoeAnn H.

JoeAnn H.

In 2010, at an annual physical, when I was 53, I mentioned to my primary...

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Amy T.

Amy T.

It had been quite a year. In October 2011, my husband, Curtis, and I moved...

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Laura Z-M.

Laura Z-M.

I was “at that age.” In the early winter of 2012, my PCP asked me...

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Michael H.

Michael H.

Hello fellow Warriors! My name is Michael H., and this is my story. In the...

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Megan H.

Megan H.

In 2018 I had blood in my stool. I saw a GI doc who did...

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Julie C.

Julie C.

My name is Julie Carr and on November 25 of 2020, I was diagnosed with...

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Mary G.

Mary G.

My journey began years ago with an HPV diagnosis at the age of 22. It...

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Susie S.

Susie S.

My name is Susie Sanchez, I was diagnosed with Anal Cancer on March 18th 2021....

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Celenia Delsol

Celenia Delsol

This story is part 1 of Celenia’s story. You can follow the rest of the...

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Calvin

Calvin

My name is Calvin, I am 53, and I was diagnosed with anal cancer on...

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Falline D.

Falline D.

When I got my cancer diagnosis, I was very surprised and freakin’ terrified. Surprised because...

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Doug J.

Doug J.

Greetings. My name is Doug Jones and I live in Los Angeles. The story that...

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Lillian K.

Lillian K.

Video credit: survivornet My name is Lillian Kreppel. I am a go-getter, resourceful, fun, and...

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Holly S.

Holly S.

In the Spring of 2009, at the age of 57, I was very much grieving...

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Angela G.

Angela G.

It all started with irregular bowel movements. I was experiencing loose stools and thought I...

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Sarah R.

Sarah R.

Hi, I’m Sarah, a 48 year old mum of three, a wife, a teacher and...

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Marie C.

Marie C.

Hello, my name is Marie and I was diagnosed with anal cancer in 2016. I...

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Helen R.

Helen R.

On New Year’s Day 2019 my husband and I trekked up to the top of...

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Richard

Richard

My story is not that different, I suspect, from many others in this country during...

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Crissy, US

Crissy, US

My story began in November 2009, when I thought I had a hemorrhoid. I remember...

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Mary L.

Mary L.

I was diagnosed with anal cancer 3 years ago, underwent the Nigro protocol and was...

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Clare

Clare

Hi, my name is Clare and I am from the UK. I was diagnosed with...

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Florence

Florence

On October 28, 2010, I received a diagnosis of stage IIIB anal cancer. This diagnosis...

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Jan

Jan

My name is Jan and I live on the outskirts of London, in the United...

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Karen

Karen

My name is Karen. My journey started in the early autumn of 2009, even though...

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Marshall

Marshall

I am a retired diplomat and university professor. In the spring of 2010 I was...

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Martha

Martha

I am a 57 year-old female who, in May 2008 at the age of 54,...

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Sue D., UK

Sue D., UK

My name is Sue Dobbs, I am a 46 year-old married mum with two children aged...

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Connie, US

Connie, US

I was diagnosed with anal cancer in October 2013 at the age of 49. I...

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Eliz, UK

Eliz, UK

Christmas 2010. Like everyone it was an extremely busy time of year and it was...

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Gail, US

Gail, US

I am the luckiest woman in the world. How is that possible you say, for...

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Lori, US

Lori, US

In May 2008 I was 49 and was in top physical condition. I hiked several...

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Phil, UK

Phil, UK

I am Phil, and I live in London, England. I was diagnosed with anal cancer...

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Sheri, US

Sheri, US

Hi Friends! “When we long for life without difficulties, remind us that oaks grow strong...

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Steven, US

Steven, US

In 2005 I developed a lump on my sphincter just outside the anal canal. My...

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Sue B., US

Sue B., US

Prior to my diagnosis of anal cancer in the summer of 2013, I had repeated...

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Tony, US

Tony, US

Six years ago (Mar 2009, Aged 55) I experienced an episode of rectal bleeding during...

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Dianne W.

Dianne W.

We lost Dianne in 2021. She was a bright light in so may people’s lives...

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Kathy H.

Kathy H.

We lost Kathy in 2022. She was a deeply loved member of our thriver community...

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Michele

Michele

Michele passed unexpectedly in 2020. She was a fierce proponent for improving the patient experience,...

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Jeffrey, US

Jeffrey, US

We lost Jeffrey in 2020. He was a kindhearted soul and lover of techno music...

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