Alana Stewart and Ryan O'Neal at the world premiere screening of "Farrah's Story" (May 13, 2009)
"Farrah's Story," the moving NBC documentary about Farrah Fawcett's battle with anal cancer, gave the world an inside look at the iconic actress's grim battle against anal cancer, but what it did not say is that anal cancer is preventable and can usually be detected while it is still treatable.
Farrah is as brave as she is beautiful. At one point she talked about her hope that the film of her struggle with the disease would help others by illuminating alternative treatments available outside the United States:
“Why isn’t there more research done on certain types of cancer? And why doesn’t our healthcare system embrace alternative treatments that have proven successful in other countries?”
Her sentiments are understandable, given the array of approaches that American doctors cannot offer because they are not yet FDA approved. Oncologists generally say that most of these interventions have not been scientifically proven to be helpful in enough cases to merit their widespread use, but many cancer patients would like the right to decide for themselves if the outside chance of a cure is worth the risk that it won't work.
It is really too bad that "Farrah's Story" did not even mention the fact that anal cancer is preventable. New York Times TV critic Alessandra Stanley writes:
... None of the doctors, advisers or medical experts interviewed throughout the two-hour special explains that one of the most common risk factors for anal cancer is human papilloma virus (HPV), and that the HPV vaccine can prevent not just cervical cancer but also anal cancer. Nobody mentions anal pap smears, which researchers increasingly cite as a way to screen for cell changes that lead to anal cancer. The film also doesn’t make clear that in many cases, anal cancer can be treated and cured. (The American Cancer Society estimates that there will be 5,290 new cases of anal cancer in 2009 and 710 deaths.)
We're not criticizing Farrah in any way, shape or form. Our hearts are broken for her and her family and friends. We have lost many of our own to cancer and we know how devastating it is. We just wish the film's producers and NBC had not missed an opportunity to tell people that this is one of the few forms of cancer we know how to prevent.
Gardasil, the current FDA-approved HPV vaccine, is available only to young women ages 9 to 26 because it has to be given before a person has been exposed to the HPV virus. That's why mothers are being urged to get the vaccine for their daughters before they become sexually active.
What you can do to prevent anal cancer:
Cancer educator Lisa Fayed suggests:
- Get an HPV vaccination, if appropriate. Ask your doctor if a vaccination is right for you.
- Using a condom during intercourse. Although condoms do not provide 100% protection against HPV, you are much safer wearing one than not.
- Limit the amount of sexual partners you have. Multiple sexual partners increases the risk of getting HPV, which is linked to anal cancer.
- Avoid anal intercourse. It increases the risk of anal cancer in both men and women.
- Quit smoking. Smokers are 4 times more likely to develop anal cancer than nonsmokers. (Smoking also puts you at a higher risk for many other types of cancer.)
Detect it before it spreads.
- Get a pap smear at every annual checkup.
- Ask your doctor what to look for. If you spot a wart or a lesion, call your doctor right away to get it checked.
Get more information:
- Visit the American Cancer Society's web site.
[ Photo: AP ]
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Comments
Great article. You are right. They should
have said something about prevention and
early detection.
yes they should of talk about early detection
It is perhaps understandable that there is more research into more common types of cancer BUT I was furious to find out that ten times as much is being spent, per patient, on research and treatment for HIV:AIDS.
I was still curious about this and thought I'd share what I found...
Do not promote Gardasil for HPV. It does NOT prevent HPV or cervical cancer. 30 women have died and over 8000 have had a very negative reaction from this vaccine. It is made with aluminem in it. A lot of young women and girls have suffered Guillain Barre syndrome. It's a money maker and they can recoup their money from the Vioxx lawsuits. Quit promoting Big Pharma. They have done more harm then good in the USA. Eat your greens folks and get off the fast food.
good article.
My mother passed away just months ago from anal cancer. I was so upset to learn that it is such a preventable cancer with virtually no attention and limited research. Although I do commend Farrah Fawcett and admire her bravery in brining attention to this disease I was disappointed that the HPV connenction and prevention were not addressed. It would have been a good opportunity to educate the public
This article had a chance to say something very important:
Get a digital rectal exam at EVERY check-up.
PLEASE!
I have Stage 4 anal cancer (in remission, thank goodness) and it would have been caught early had my doctor been giving me rectal exams. It's said to be 95% curable if caught early!!!!
Don't fear the gloved finger.
Farrah,
What a kind, sweet soul you have always been; always positive, always smiling. You have this sense of frivolity that made you even more beautiful. It is so sad to see you having to battle something as horrible as this, when, what you should be experiencing, is living fabulously at the age of 62...with an eternal sense of youth and vigor. May there be a miracle for you, and if that doesn't happen, may you arrive in the next world with your eternal beauty, vigor, and vivaciousness...
How is she brave? She is no different than any other person who faces the same struggles anonymously.
There is no blame about her being rich, but the struggles of the rich are made to be greater than the average person. If this was about bringing a face to cancer, with all their combined money why didn't they have a documentary about the plight of the poor who go through the same battle and love their family all the same, but don't have access to the same care and treatment. I
n this aristocracy it seems the rich and famous are the only ones who are brave, noble, etc. You know what courage is ... getting up each day and going to work ... living your life in quiet desperation is tough when you are not rich and famous nor entitled to the best of everything. What about people who don't have access to medical care in this country and either get the diagnosis too late or can't afford the treatments. Are they not as good as a washed up drug addicted movie star?
While I am sad that she has cancer, I think that the money used to make this documentary would have been better spent helping less fortunate people battle their own cancers.
Thanks Liz for brining up HPV in this discussion. I found it very disturbing as a cervical cancer survivor, who obviously had HPV, that anal cancer is preventable with HPV screening. While I thought the bio was very well done and heartbreaking, I was extremely bothered by the lack of information on HPV, which is the leading cause of anal cancer, and also causes cervical, penile, head, neck and throat cancer. I wish Farrah's friends or family would have included a PSA on HPV or spoke out against the dangers. Especially since 6.2 millions Americans are diagnosed with HPV each year. Many people with HPV suffer in silence and hide their diagnosis because it is a sex-linked cancer, so here was a perfect opportunity to legitimaize all those who suffer in silence, but it was thrown away. In the end though, I appreciate and understand why she did go there and wish her nothing but peace and healing, but I still can't help but feel sad that HPV never came up!
She was an anal abuser. That hole is an exit not an entrance.
Alot times it fear about what people will think.
Get check early dont let nothing stop you. It's the only body you will ever have so take good care of it.
www.tiptopwebsite.com/mny4u
I feel bad that yet another woman gets cancer from men who have no clue that they are carriers! Most men are ignorant to HPV, they dont get it, they have no idea about most STD's... Men wake up! It might even be linked to prostate cancer...ooh! That might get their attention, as its always been the WOMEN who are given this wonderful present of CANCER from their men! Men, get educated here!
Do your homework? It has NO SYMPTOMS?
Liz, Your article is unfortunately not comprehensive either regarding anal cancer. My only sister was diagnosed (w/in a month of F.F.), in May of 2006. In my sister's case however she had adeno/squamous carcinoma a much more deadly, and rarer form of anal cancer. My sister NEVER was a smoker, she DID NOT have HPV, nor HIV. She was married and leaves behind 2 young children. My sister died one month ago. She NEVER went into remission in the three years she was ill. She was on one chemo regimine after another, each more toxic than the last. There is NO one who has survived who has been diagnosed with this same type of anal cancer. My point: generalizations such as those pointed out foster assumptions, ignorance and hurtful judgement. The issue currently at play is this-- there is NO presidence in my sister's type of anal cancer; research, funding for research relative to this very rare form of cancer is unlike that of breast, prostate, etc. That is where "we" need to go.
Kathi you are so ignorant! Garasil is one of only 2 vaccinations ever manufactured that prevents against deadly forms of cancer and you are worried about aluminUm and guillain-barre... It's people like you that are preventing young women from deriving the full benefit of this scientific breakthrough! Next thing you'll tell me is that you're afraid that our pre-teens will develop autism if we vaccinate them... Start getting your information from people who do the research and actually know what they're talking about instead of from Jim Carrey and Jenny McCarthy
My great grandad and my dad bothe died of anal cancer many years apart. My dad thought he had cancer when he got piles...but realised it was only piles. Then when he thought he has piles 13 years later he found he had the same cancer as his granfather. Radiotherapy and chemotherapy and surgery all failed to save him, as it did my great-granfather. They say it's curable...everyone I know who has had anal cancer (that being 4) have died...so is it really preventable. I also believe that it might be hereditory (although they say it is myth...it's ironic that two of my family members died young of it) and no they had no other problems...infaact my dad was perfectly healthy. I know it is easily detected...but preventable? I don't know. I'm septical.
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