There isn’t a completely effective way to make sure you don’t get anal cancer, but you can help protect yourself by reducing some risk factors. For example:
- Don’t smoke. If you do smoke, stop.
- Practice safe sex. Make sure you use condoms if you engage in anal sex.
- Get the human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccine if you’re eligible for it. This vaccine not only prevents anal cancer, but also cancers of the mouth and throat, cervical cancer and penile cancer.