[Terra84]

So I've been very confused about this. I've asked friends, I've looked up answers online & I'm also gonna ask my doctor her opinion but anyway my boyfriend & I really enjoy anal sex but my mom now has me scared about continuing to making it a permanent sexual activity between my boyfriend & I because she says it's unnatural & she thinks I'm gonna end up getting cancer. So I wanted to know your thoughts. Thank you ladies.

[JonnyR]

Terra84 Thanks for asking this very important question that I know a LOT of people out there might have.

We do have folks on our medical review board that can chime in, and I'll ask them to do so, but for now, i found some resources that can help open up the discussion for us a bit more.

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/6151-anal-cancer

https://www.bronsonhealth.com/news/a...y-preventable/

From what I understand, 90% of all anal cancers are caused by HPV. This means that the main reason folks get most of these type of cancers to begin with (as well as other related cancers) are caused by the HPV virus itself (which of course is a STI).

They do also note that outside of this, there is a higher rate of anal cancer with folks who have anal sex -- but the correlation is not 100% clear outside of the fact of getting things like HIV, HPV are smoking, immunosuppressant drugs, etc.

One thing I would make sure of regardless of the above, is that you should probably look into getting an HPV vaccine regardless, practice safe sex, and ensure that you are using lube and stop if you ever experience any pain or discomfort.

Anal sex can be fun, and safe, but there are some things to think about first.

I'll see if we can get one of our medical folks to chime in here to make sure we're getting our facts straight.

Stay tuned!

[Terra84]

Thanks, Yes before I found lube it hurt not with him but with my ex's but since finding lube it doesn't hurt at all & it's very enjoyable now. I am so glad I came back to this post because I do have a doctor's appt tomorrow & now I can ask her about the vaccine. Thanks again..

[Terra84]

Okay so I talked to my doctor & She said Yes it is true I can get cancer but it's a very small chance, There's not a bigger chance then there is getting other cancers that are non sexual. So now I'm not confused or worried anymore. I was hoping she wouldn't tell me we had to stop cause we enjoy it so much especially my boyfriend. He's never had anal sex before me & now he loves it lol.

[Alison H.]

Hi Terra,

I spoke with Dr. Susan Milstein, who is a human sexuality educator on our medical review board this afternoon.

She explained that the incidence of cancer due to anal sex (beyond HPV-related cancers) is super low; it isn’t zero, however it is very low.

She noted that the data from statistics regarding anal sex and cancer can be skewed, given that the majority of available data reflects men having sex with other men (and the incidence of STIs associated, which can increase the risk for anal cancer, increasing the rates of it overall).

Additionally, she said that doctors don’t always ask patients about specifics regarding sexual behaviors, making it difficult to pinpoint if (or when) a particular sexual activity is a factor in the development of cancer, if it is.

She said that primarily, HPV is the highest risk factor for the development of anal cancer. Beyond that, smoking is a risk, but so is a past history of cancer (particularly if it involved the genitals in some way).

She noted that if both partners are vaccinated against HPV and use condoms, the risk for cancer as a result of anal sex is low.

She also pointed out that a lot of fears regarding anything (including anal sex) come from what we don’t know OR the values we hold toward a particular activity — eventually becoming the stuff of urban legend.

Sort of like the old wives’ tale about growing hair on your palms because you masturbate.

It isn’t true, but is an effective scare tactic. In this case, the idea of something terrible happening (cancer) is a way of steering a person away from having anal sex (something that some people hold a negative opinion of).

When it comes to anal sex, there is some risk involved, but it largely depends on HPV status and other health-related cancer risks overall, versus the activity by itself.

Ultimately, she advised following your doctor’s advice — trust your doctor, get the HPV vaccine if you are eligible to do so, get tested for STIs regularly, enjoy yourself, and use lube.

(Her words.)

If you have any concerns or notice (at any point) lesions, bumps, or any irregularities in your anal tissue, see your doctor.