Anal cancer refers to the development of abnormal cells in the tissues of the anus, which have the ability to multiply and spread.
While most anal cancers are squamous cell cancers (SCC), they can also be classified as basal cell carcinoma (BCC), melanoma or adenocarcinoma of the anus.1
Anal cancer is classified as a rare cancer and is more common in New Zealanders aged over 50 years.1