Cancer Health Center

Farrah Fawcett Is Fighting Cancer

Bright Prognosis

The good news is that most people with anal cancer will be cured. Treatment typically entails surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy. Media reports suggest that Fawcett is being treated with a combination of chemotherapy and radiation.

"There is a misconception in our society that cancers can't be beaten and cancer can't be treated, but many times, we can successfully treat and cure cancer, and anal cancer, when it's caught early, is quite treatable," says Saltz.

Doctors may find anal cancer early with a rectal exam. During this test the doctor inserts a gloved finger into the anus to feel for lumps or growths.

People at high risk for anal cancer should talk to their doctor about their risk. Those considered at high risk include transplant recipients, HIV-positive people, women who have had cervical cancer or vulvar cancer, and all men who have sex with men.

Fawcett remains optimistic. "I am resolutely strong and I am determined to bite the bullet and fight the fight while going through the next six weeks of cutting edge, state of the art treatment. I should be able to return to my life as it was before at the end of my treatment," she said in a prepared statement.