Answer:
by Erika Evans-Weaver: (11/29/2009)
Anal sex is an identified risk factor in possibly getting anal cancer, however this is not to say that you will automatically get anal cancer if you have anal sex. Having a risk factor, or even several risk factors, does not mean that you will get cancer. There are a number of people without risk factors that can still get cancer. Anal cancer is commonly associated with the human papilloma virus (HPV). This virus causes warts in and around the anus and on the cervix in women. It is associated with an increased risk of cervical cancer in women. Not all women with HPV will get anal cancer. HPV, the virus is spread through sex usually with a number of different partners and being unprotected. The other high risk factor to anal cancer is smoking. Harmful chemicals from smoke get into the bloodstream and increase the risk of getting anal cancer. Quitting smoking helps to reduce the risk.
If you are engaging in anal sex and are concerned about risk factors in general, here are some of the issues to keep in mind. Always engage in protected anal sex by wearing a condom. Unprotected anal sex leaves the person being penetrated very open or susceptible to acquiring a STI (sexually transmitted infection) if your partner is infected. NEVER switch from anal intercourse to vaginal intercourse or oral penetration without changing condoms or cleaning the penis in between the transition. The reason is due to the germs that exists anally, which are ok in that area of the body (the anus) but are very dangerous for a vagina or a mouth. Due to the gentleness of the tissues in the rectal area, be sure to use lots of lubricants and make sure they are NOT oil based like lotion, baby oil or Crisco. This will help avoid getting abrasions in the rectal area or causing tissue from tearing. If you are experiencing pain during anal intercourse, then it’s a sign that you may need more lubrication, the thrusting may be too hard and you need to slow down or it’s not an activity that you or your body is enjoying and so you should find another sexual activity to engage in.
I hope this information helps and if you have any more questions please don’t hesitate to contact us!
Reviewed by: Kathleen Scarbo (VanKirk) DHS
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