Symptoms and signs Diagram of the sphincter Common symptoms of anal cancer may include rectal bleeding noticeable if there is blood on feces or toilet paper pain in the anal area lumps around the anus, which may be mistaken for piles, or hemorrhoids mucus or jelly-like discharge from the anus anal itching changes in bowel movements, including diarrhea, constipation, or thinning of stools fecal incontinence, or problems controlling bowel movements bloating women may experience lower back pain as the tumor presses on the vagina women may experience vaginal dryness.