Anal cancer is uncommon, and it grows less rare every year. The American Cancer Society estimates about 11,270 new cases in the United States in 2026 and about 1,700 deaths. The disease begins in the squamous cells that line the anus, and most cases trace back to one virus that millions of adults already carry without knowing it.
Anal cancer sits far down the list of common cancers, yet its trend line tells a sharper story. National data from the NCI Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results program show incidence climbing about 2.2% each year from 2012 to 2021. Deaths rose about 5.1% each year from 2013 to 2022. The lifetime risk for any single person stays low, near 0.2%. The direction of that curve is what public health teams watch, because a rare cancer that keeps rising eventually reaches people who never thought it applied to them.
Women carry more of this burden than men. The 2026 estimate counts 7,700 cases in women and 3,570 in men. Older adults are diagnosed most often, and rates among older women have moved up steadily over the past decade. Many older Latina women fall inside that rising group, which gives the topic real weight for families across Georgia.
The human papillomavirus drives the great majority of these cancers. HPV is a common infection, and most sexually active people encounter it at some point in their lives. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that about 91% of anal cancers are caused by HPV, which works out to roughly 7,600 of the 8,348 cases diagnosed in a typical year. The American Cancer Society names HPV infection as the most important risk factor for the disease, and HPV-16 accounts for the largest share of these cancers.
HPV causes six cancers in all: cervical, vaginal, vulvar, penile, anal, and oropharyngeal, the last covering the back of the throat, the base of the tongue, and the tonsils. One virus, one set of prevention tools, six places in the body. That overlap is why a single vaccine can lower the risk of several cancers at once.
Some adults face higher odds than others. People living with HIV and others with a weakened immune system are far more likely to develop anal cancer. Smoking raises the risk, and quitting brings it down. A previous HPV-related cancer of the cervix, vulva, or vagina also raises it.
Anal cancer carries a layer of embarrassment that keeps people from asking questions, and that silence has a cost. A virus that nearly everyone encounters causes this disease. Talking with a clinician about prevention belongs in the same category as any other part of routine adult health.
The HPV vaccine protects against HPV-16 and HPV-18, the types behind most HPV cancers. It works best when given before any exposure to the virus, which is why pediatricians start the series at a young age. Adults who missed it still have a path forward.
The CDC recommends catch-up vaccination for everyone through age 26. Many adults between 18 and 26 never finished the series, or never started it as teenagers, and they can complete it now. For adults 27 through 45, the decision is made together with a clinician who weighs personal history and risk. Knowing your own vaccination status is the first step, and a clinic can help you pull your records if you are not sure.
No national screening program covers anal cancer in the general population. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force lists the topic as inactive, which means it has issued no recommendation for routine screening.
The picture is shifting for higher-risk groups. The federally funded ANCHOR trial found that treating anal precancer cut progression to cancer by 57% among people 35 and older living with HIV. The finding was strong enough that the National Cancer Institute ended the study early in 2022. Adults at higher risk can ask a clinician whether an anal Pap test or a high-resolution anoscopy fits their situation. An anal Pap test collects cells much as a cervical Pap does, and a high-resolution anoscopy lets a clinician examine the lining closely when a test comes back abnormal.
Hispanic and Latino adults across metro Atlanta can raise these questions at a regular checkup or a community clinic. Grady Health System, the Georgia Department of Public Health, and Emory HPV Cancer Free Georgia support HPV vaccination and can guide you toward the right care. HHCGA's bilingual navigators help families find a provider, read their vaccination records, and book the visit.
The strongest move is the simplest one. Ask whether you finished the HPV series, and if not, find out when you can start. One vaccine, six cancers, and a question that takes a minute to raise.
3.
Who should get the HPV vaccine as an adult?
The CDC recommends catch-up HPV vaccination for everyone through age 26. Adults 18 to 26 who never finished the series can complete it now. Adults 27 through 45 can decide with a clinician based on personal history and risk.
How much anal cancer is linked to HPV?
The CDC reports that about 91% of anal cancers are caused by HPV, roughly 7,600 of the 8,348 cases diagnosed in a typical year. The American Cancer Society names HPV as the most important risk factor for the disease.
Is there a routine screening test for anal cancer?
No national screening program covers the general population, and the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force lists the topic as inactive. People at higher risk, including those living with HIV, can ask a clinician whether an anal Pap test or high-resolution anoscopy is right for them. The ANCHOR trial found that treating anal precancer cut progression to cancer by 57% in people 35 and older living with HIV.
Community partners
Georgia Department of Public Health
Emory HPV Cancer Free Georgia
HPV Vaccination Roundtable of the Southeast (St. Jude)
Grady Health System
Loving-kindness grows when you share it. Daniela and Rafael guide this two-voice meditation in Spanish, widening goodwill from someone easy to love out to a difficult person, then back to you. Two voices make it a natural practice for families.
Most of us forget to include ourselves. This loving-kindness meditation, guided by Rafael in Spanish, has you place a hand on your heart and offer four phrases of care. Research ties the practice to more daily positive emotion and stronger personal resources.
When a day ends tight, a longer body scan gives the tension somewhere to go. Guided by Rafael in Spanish, this five-minute practice moves slowly through the body. Research in JAMA Internal Medicine links the practice to better sleep.
The simplest way into mindfulness is to feel your own body. This three-minute Vida Sana scan, guided by Rafael in Spanish, moves attention from your toes to your head, softens hidden tension, and gives a busy mind a clear path to follow.
A craving feels permanent until it passes. Urge surfing, guided by Daniela in Spanish, teaches you to ride the wave: breathe, locate the craving, watch it peak and fall, and stay smoke-free. Pair it with the Georgia Tobacco Quit Line for free coaching.
Stress builds quietly. This Vida Sana breathing space, guided by Daniela, gives you a portable, three-step pause you can use in under two minutes, between tasks or before a hard moment. Notice, gather, expand, and come back steadier.
Six cancers, one vaccine, one national conversation. Shirley E Bella Borghi joins the panel on June 18.
The HPV vaccine prevents six cancers and is free for most kids who need it. The barrier in rural Georgia is distance, language, and knowing where to go. Here is how families reach it at no cost.
Missing the HPV vaccine as a kid does not close the door. Catch-up is recommended through age 26, and it still prevents six cancers. Here is the schedule, where to get it, and why now matters.
Almost every cervical cancer starts with HPV, which makes it one of the most preventable cancers there is. Here is the global 90-70-90 goal, where Georgia stands, and why November 17 now anchors the work.
The biggest lever a clinic has on HPV vaccination is how the clinician brings it up. A brief, presumptive announcement raised initiation 5% in a trial. Here is how Georgia clinics put it to work, starting at age 9.
The HPV vaccine can start at age 9, and starting early means just two doses. Here is why doctors recommend it then, what it costs, and the one question Georgia parents should ask at the next visit.
For Georgia's Latino families, whether a child gets the HPV vaccine often comes down to who is asking and in what language. Here is how trusted messengers, plain Spanish, and clear answers on cost move prevention forward.
HPV causes about 36,000 cancers a year in the US, and more than 90 percent are preventable. The Southeast carries the highest rates. Here is where Georgia stands, what its Latino families face, and the regional plan to close the gap.
HPV causes six cancers, and the 2026 Clinical Champions are the providers closing Georgia's vaccination gap one community at a time.
The American Cancer Society recognized HHCGA for going above and beyond in cancer risk reduction promotion across Georgia.
A new HHCGA video, developed in collaboration with Georgia State University’s Mindful Living Lab, walks you through two mindfulness techniques for managing cravings and quitting smoking.
A free one-hour virtual session covering mental health, nutrition, and professional wellness - with continuing education credit for health educators.
HPV vaccination can prevent six types of cancer — and most families in Georgia have not yet heard the full story.
Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable cancers—here is what we learned at this year’s awareness event and why it matters for Georgia’s Latino families.
A new 40-page health guide from HHCGA puts symptom recognition, prevention strategies, and doctor-ready questions in the hands of Georgia's Hispanic families.
Flu activity across Georgia has reached severe levels, and health officials urge families to get vaccinated now.
Healthcare professionals and community advocates gather at the Georgia State Capitol to advance cervical cancer prevention through education, advocacy, and collaboration.
Discover how HHCGA and its partners are using trusted messengers, data, and community-based programs to improve cancer and chronic disease outcomes for Hispanic families across Georgia.
HHCGA is partnering with Emory University’s Hope Clinic to address a critical gap in Long COVID research. The REVERSE LC study examines whether baricitinib can help with “brain fog.”
Georgia CEAL’s research on hyperlocal and community-engaged COVID-19 response, co-authored by HHCGA’s Shirley “Bella” Borghi, is now published in PCHP.
HHCGA’s Executive Director Shirley “Bella” Borghi co-authors HPV research accepted for the 2025 International Papillomavirus Conference in Bangkok.
Discover how HHCGA and Best Start for Baby & Mom are empowering Georgia families with resources for healthier beginnings.
Discover how the VISER Network connects data systems to strengthen vaccine programs and reach more families.
UNICEF and HHCGA are teaming up to strengthen diabetes screening, education, and access to care for Hispanic families across Georgia.
Make your voice heard at Grady’s Community Conversation in DeKalb on Sept. 24.
Registration closes Sept. 19 for the 3rd Long COVID International Conference — join experts shaping the future of Long COVID care and research.
Join us Sept. 26 in Macon for a free car seat safety check to keep your child safe on the road.
Ossie Williams elevated survivor voices and addressed health disparities at the 2025 Georgia Prostate Cancer Roundtable.
HHCGA’s Shirley E. “Bella” Borghi is recognized as Georgia’s 2025 AIM Immunization Champion for her leadership in vaccine access and outreach.
Reflections from the Georgia Thrives Together Community of Practice on centering community voice, resilience, and sustainable health initiatives.
Discover how Georgia CEAL’s community-led approach helped more than 65,000 residents get vaccinated during the COVID-19 pandemic.
HHCGA research highlights how policy, prevention, and mental health support can reduce type 2 diabetes in Georgia’s most vulnerable communities.
Clinicians and advocates unite to boost HPV vaccination rates in Georgia and prevent HPV-related cancers.
How local leaders and HHCGA are shaping Georgia’s public health future—starting with trust, mental health, and community health workers.
Discover how mental health is shaping diabetes outcomes—and what Georgia CEAL is doing to respond.
Explore how Georgia CEAL RESTORES is using community-driven research to fight diabetes and transform public health policy from the ground up.
Discover how Georgia CEAL RESTORES is empowering community leaders to drive policy and prevention strategies for better public health.
Learn how HHCGA's recent ACS training is empowering communities through proactive cancer prevention.
Discover how a simple talk about PSA screening could help young men detect aggressive prostate cancer before it’s too late.
Learnhow this multi-level intervention aims to stop diabetes before it starts inGeorgia communities.
Learn how local officials can turn proven research into real-world health gains forGeorgia communities.
Discoverhow Georgia CEAL research uncovers the hidden mental toll of living with type 2diabetes.
Discover how the CEAL Annual Meeting sparked fresh ideas and partnerships to advance community-focused health studies.
Four data-driven steps every Georgia family can take to keep kids safe this summer.
See how HHCGA’s newly ACS-certified team is bringing lifesaving cancer-screening knowledge to our communities.
Discover free health services, resources, and fun for the entire family at our Annual Hispanic Health Fair!
Learn how a groundbreaking initiative unites community-based organizations and top academic centers to reshape cancer prevention and control strategies.
.jpg)
Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the U.S., but with the right knowledge and preventive care, you can protect yourself and your loved ones. Learn more about heart health with our expert-backed resources.
Georgia’s 8th Annual Cervical Cancer Awareness Day is making strides toward eliminating cervical cancer through education, advocacy, and groundbreaking developments.
Join Georgia’s 8th Annual Cervical Cancer Awareness Day - earn CE credits, gain expert insights, and advance your impact in cervical cancer prevention.
Georgia’s 8th Annual Cervical Cancer Awareness Day unites healthcare professionals, policymakers, and communities to promote education, advocacy, and collaboration in the fight against cervical cancer.
Exciting opportunity to impact Latino health and wellness as a Community Outreach Coordinator.
La Ronda Estatal de Cáncer de Próstata en Georgia aborda los esfuerzos para combatir el cáncer en las comunidades hispanas/latinas.
The first statewide Georgia Prostate Cancer Roundtable highlights efforts to address prostate cancer across Georgia.
.jpg)
HHCGA’s abstract on eliminating cervical cancer in Georgia to be presented at the 36th International Papillomavirus Conference in Edinburgh.
Descubre cómo la HHCGA y los consulados latinoamericanos en Atlanta están colaborando para brindar servicios de salud esenciales a las comunidades hispanas en los Estados Unidos.
HHCGA collaborates with Mora’s Life Saving Training to equip Promotores with essential CPR and AED certification for enhanced community safety.
HHCGA honored as the first Hispanic/Latino organization in Georgia to receive the Health Advancement Ambassador certification from the American Cancer Association.
Emory University and HHCGA collaborate on an impactful study addressing diabetes prevalence in Georgia's Hispanic/Latino population.
Discover how academic and community partnerships like the one between Moorehouse School of Medicine and CEAL are shaping the future of public health and community engagement.
Amidst the rain, the spirit of commitment shone through as over 300 health workers gathered in Atlanta, determined to drive change and uplift communities through dedicated CHW/Promotores work.
Explore the highlights and pivotal moments from Georgia’s 7th Annual Cervical Cancer Awareness Day — a day dedicated to celebrating progress, recognizing heroes, and strengthening the fight against HPV-related cancers.
Discover how Direct Relief’s Health Access Fund is revolutionizing healthcare across the U.S., featuring groundbreaking collaborations and innovative strategies from leading health organizations.
Join us in celebrating the remarkable work of Rollins graduate students, whose dedication and engagement with HHCGA are driving meaningful health initiatives within our community.
Daniela Ramírez reflexiona sobre la mezcla de culturas y experiencias variadas en la Reunión Anual de la APHA 2023, destacando el alcance comunitario y la resiliencia de HHCGA ante una pandemia global.
Daniela Ramirez reflects on the blend of various cultures and experiences at the APHA 2023 Annual Meeting highlighting HHCGA's community outreach and resilience in the face of a global pandemic.
HHCGA se destaca en la vanguardia del compromisocomunitario en salud, marcando un hito reconocido a nivel nacional por suefectividad en mejorar el acceso a la salud.
Unveiling the success story of HHCGA: A beacon of hope in community health engagement, recognized nationally for their impactful work in advancing community health.
Dive into the 2023 APHA Annual Meeting where over 12,000 health professionals gathered to push the boundaries of public health, driven by the leadership of the Georgia CEAL team and HHCGA's commitment to improving healthcare access.
If your family doesn’t have medical coverage or is on the brink of losing it, now is the time to act. Don't wait! Apply right away at GeorgiaPCA.org and ensure your child's health and well-being.
La PCA de Georgia ha tomado las riendas para asegurarse de que las familias con niños y adolescentes elegibles estén informadas sobre el salvavidas que es el seguro de salud.
.png)
HHCGA’s Clarkston Health Awareness Day champions multilingual healthcare access. Discover a new era of welcoming healthcare, community unity, and empowerment.
.png)
Uncover a unique blend of lively cultural festivities and essential health resources tailored for our community. From tantalizing traditional cuisines and captivating performances to invaluable health screenings and advice, there's something for everyone.
Learn how UGA Pharmacy Students and HHCGA are joining forces to make a real difference in the health of underserved Hispanic communities.
Uncover the transformative work of Georgia CEAL and its partners in combating COVID-19 disparities, as recognized in PCAST's report, and discover how community-engaged practices are shaping the future of community health improvement.
Dive into the highlights of the CMS Quality Conference 2023, where healthcare experts unite to champion community resilience and improved access to care.
Uncover how Georgia CEAL and HHCGA are addressing long-standing gaps in healthcare and enhancing vaccination rates through community-driven initiatives at CMS Quality Conference 2023.
Discover how the Georgia Cancer Control Consortium's HPV Cancer Free Workgroup is making strides in the fight against HPV-related diseases at the IPVC 2023 Conference.
%20Plaza%20las%20Americas%2004.16_2.jpg)
Discover how the NFL Alumni GA and HHCGA are teaming up for an empowering health fair event – Learn how you can join the fun and improve your health at the same time!
St. Jude's Rural HPV Vaccination Think Tank Committee 2023 aims to boost vaccination rates and prevent cancer, with expert Shirley E. Borghi and the St. Jude Cancer Prevention Program.
Explore the wealth of mental health resources, services, and support tailored to the unique needs of Hispanic Latino special needs families. Learn how you can get involved and make a difference in our community.
Get the latest information on the partnership between the HHCGA and Emory University and their efforts to improve health outcomes for the Hispanic/Latino community in northeast Georgia.
Get the latest information on the HHCGA & Emory University partnership and their efforts to improve health outcomes for the Hispanic/Latino community.
Celebrate World Cancer Awareness Day with us. Learn about the importance of cancer awareness and how you can make a difference.
Grassroots Labs is an online marketplace providing price transparency and cost savings on routine lab tests with physician oversight provided; they are also fully bilingual in English & Spanish.
