Marcia Cross opens up about anal cancer, likely caused by same HPV strain as husband's throat cancer

More than 90 per cent of anal cancer cases are caused by HPV

Marcia Cross has discussed her experience with anal cancer in the hopes of de-stigmatising the disease and raising awareness about ways it can be prevented.

In November 2017, the actress was at her doctor for an annual rectal exam when a cancerous mass was discovered in her anus - almost 10 years after her husband Tom Mahoney was treated for throat cancer.

According to doctors, the cancers were likely caused by the same type of human papillomavirus or HPV, a sexually transmitted disease.

Now in remission, Cross told CBS This Morning that she is speaking openly about anal cancer because she knows “there are people who are ashamed”.

“You have cancer! Do you have to then also feel ashamed like you did something bad, you know, because it took up residence in your anus?” the actress said. “I mean come on, really, there’s enough on your plate.”

According to the 57-year-old, she relied on her friends and family, who she referred to as her “anal angels” during the radiation and chemotherapy.

“You know, I kept saying: ‘If this doesn’t kill me, it’s like the best thing that could have ever happened’. Because the experience of being loved like that, it blew my mind,” Cross recalled.

In addition to discussing the disease so that others are not embarrassed talking about rectal exams and treatment, Cross also wants to inform people that anal cancer is preventable - as the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states 90 per cent of anal cancer cases are caused by HPV, which can also cause genital, cervical and throat cancers, but the types of HPV that commonly cause cancer are preventable with the vaccine.

During the interview, Cross said she will be vaccinating her own twin 12-year-old daughters in a few weeks.

According to the CDC, two doses of the HPV vaccine are recommended for all boys and girls ages 11-12 and is recommended for women through the age of 26 and men through the age of 21 if they were not vaccinated when they were younger.