“Desperate Housewives” star Marcia Cross beat anal cancer; now she wants to help stop the shame that surrounds the disease.
The 57-year-old actress, who also starred on “Melrose Place” in the ’90s, got candid about her treatment and her newfound advocacy in a People Now interview posted Wednesday.
“I’ve read a lot of cancer survivor stories, and many people, women especially, were too embarrassed to say what kind of cancer they had. There is a lot of shame about it. I want that to stop.” Marcia Cross
Cross was first diagnosed in November 2017, when she said that her gynecologist noticed the first signs of anal cancer during an annual checkup. Symptoms can include itching, bleeding and pain when going to the bathroom, or feeling like you have a lump inside of your anus. Changes in bowel habits, like diarrhea and constipation, or any abnormal discharge from the rectum could also be a warning signs, so speak with a doctor if experiencing any of them.
Cross revealed her cancer diagnosis to the public last fall in a series of personal Instagram posts, including a headshot where her signature long, red locks were gone, having fallen out during her chemo treatment.
While anal cancer is rare, about 8,300 Americans will be diagnosed with the disease this year, according to the American Cancer Society, and an estimated 1,280 people will die from it. Women have a higher risk of anal cancer, as do people over age 50.
Cross underwent two biopsies, as well as six weeks of radiation and chemotherapy, which she described as “gnarly.”
“In the beginning, I just sort of lay down for the parting of the cheeks and I would float away. Because what are you going to do?”
Surgery wasn’t recommended in her case, and isn’t for most cases today, in fact. There can be a lot of side effects, especially if an abdominoperineal resection (or APR) has to be done to remove the anus and anal sphincter from the body. Patients need a permanent colostomy bag after an APR, among other side effects.
“You want to preserve sphincter muscles if possible. Having woken up to its importance, I am now a big fan of the anus! Every time I go to the bathroom, I think, ‘That’s awesome! Thank you, body.’”
Cross is encouraging people to look for the warning signs, because anal cancer is very treatable. The five-year survival rate is 82% when the cancer is localized (stage 1 or 2, and hasn’t spread). “If something doesn’t feel right, listen to your body and talk to your doctor,” she said. “Don’t let it go. It’s a very curable cancer if caught early, which mine was.”
