Overview

• Anal cancer incidence in the U.S. rose by 2.9% annually among women and 1.6% among men from 2017 to 2021, with the sharpest increases in older women.
• White women over 65 experienced the fastest growth in anal cancer cases, with an annual increase of 4.3%, reaching 11.4 cases per 100,000 in 2021.
• Hispanic women over 65 represent the second-highest risk group, with an incidence of 7.5 cases per 100,000 in 2021 and a 1.7% annual rise.
• Persistent HPV infection accounts for approximately 90% of anal cancer cases, highlighting the importance of vaccination and early detection strategies.
• Experts are urging updates to screening protocols and broader HPV vaccination outreach to address the growing risk among older women, a group traditionally overlooked in prevention efforts.