In her book "Gulp: Adventures on the Alimentary Canal," Mary Roach reflects on the lack of awareness surrounding anal cancer, which she notes was infamously highlighted by Farrah Fawcett's death from the disease. She points out the euphemistic language often used to describe female anatomy, comparing it to how her mother referred to the vagina. This lack of directness contributes to a societal ignorance about certain cancers.

Roach highlights that until 2010, anal cancer had no dedicated nonprofit organizations or awareness initiatives, contrasting it with other cancers that have established support structures. She emphasizes the connection between anal cancer and the human papillomavirus (HPV), which is transmitted through sexual contact, suggesting that education on this topic is crucial for informed health decisions, particularly regarding condom use.