Early Treatment Reduces Risk of Anal Cancer in People With HIV
10/08/21
Long-awaited results from the ANCHOR study suggest screening to detect precancerous lesions should be part of routine care.
News
A reality check (and resources!) on all things anal cancer
July 19, 2018
A reality check (and resources!) on all things anal cancer July 19, 2018, by Emily Land If it’s a bump, or some bleeding, it might be a hemorrhoid or a fissure from a particularly rough night. But pain and bleeding can also be a symptom of anal cancer—a much less common condition (but one that people may worry about more). Before you jump to the conclusion that a bump on your butt is anal cancer, get a reality check from Joel Palefsky, MD, and J. Michael Berry-Lawhorn, MD, who are both anal dysplasia specialists. They have info about who’s at higher risk for anal cancer, what it’s caused by,
HPV-HIV Provider Toolkit
June 7, 2017
The Washington State Department of Health has created a toolkit for Infectious Disease Providers on the importance of HPV vaccination for individuals who are living with HIV. HPV vaccination is important for everyone! The HPV-HIV Provider Toolkit is available on the Washington State DPH website at: http://www.doh.wa.gov/ForPublicHealthandHealthcareProviders/PublicHealthSystemResourcesandServices/Immunization/HPVInformation Materials for Your Practice and Your Patients HPV-HIV Provider Toolkit Details: People who are immunocompromised or HIV-positive are at greater risk for HPV infection.
Louis Zimmerman, In Memoriam
February 7, 2017
Dear ANCHOR CAB Members, It is with a heavy heart we must inform you our fellow CAB member and Co-chair Louis Zimmerman has passed away. He died peacefully at home after a short illness. Louis has been an integral part of HIV research as both a community members and study volunteer. His thoughtfulness and passion will be missed by all of his friends and colleagues. On a personal note, I've had the pleasure of working with Louis as Co-Chair. I remember him most for his cheerful disposition and his sense of calm and joy. He is survived by his partner Pete Trujillo. There will be a memorial
Awareness, surveillance key to early detection, better prognosis in fight against anal cancer
August 9, 2016
Anal cancer is a subject most people would rather not discuss, because of its anatomical location, along with an unfortunate stigma attached to the malignancy. Although tragic, actress Farrah Fawcett’s openness about her diagnosis in 2006 helped create much-needed public awareness about the malady during her 11-year battle with the disease which she lost in 2015 at the age of 62. Closer to home, a 51-year-old White Center resident named Ed was impressed with Fawcett’s openness and advocacy. He now feels very fortunate that he listened to his physician and decided to have an anal Pap smear
Beliefs About Anal Cancer among HIV-Infected Women: Barriers and Motivators to Participation in Research
December 15, 2015
Women's Health Issues Vol. 25(6): 720-26. Abstract Background Infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) remains associated with a greater risk of anal cancer, despite widespread use of combination antiretroviral therapy. Evidence concerning the acceptability of anal cancer screening gives little attention to women. Because HIV-infected women have a high prevalence of depression and history of sexual trauma, understanding acceptability among this group is critical. Purpose We sought to assess barriers and motivators to participation in anal cancer screening research among a racial/
First HIV, then cancer.
October 5, 2015
As people with HIV live longer, they are developing cancers at higher rates than the general population. Read Article
Prevalence of anal human papillomavirus infection and anal HPV-related disorders in women: a systematic review
September 29, 2015
AJOG Sept. 2015 Abstract: The aim of this study was to systematically review the findings of publications addressing the epidemiology of anal human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, anal intraepithelial neoplasia, and anal cancer in women. We conducted a systematic review among publications published from Jan. 1, 1997, to Sept. 30, 2013, to limit to publications from the combined antiretroviral therapy era. Three searches were performed of the National Library of Medicine PubMed database using the following search terms: women and anal HPV, women anal intraepithelial neoplasia, and women and
ANCHOR Study Explores Anal Cancer Treatments in the HIV-Positive Community
June 10, 2015
Years of medical advancements have made it possible to live long, full lives with HIV. Unfortunately, longer lifespans can also mean more health challenges. Read more.
'Putting Your Bottom at the Top of Your List' -- The Pap Smear That's Not Just for Women
April 27, 2015
About 17 years ago, Jeff Taylor, an AIDS advocate, became worried he might have anal cancer. Through his work, Taylor knew that anal cancer rates had risen steeply among people with HIV. He was having discomfort, and he knew that there was a simple screening test: a swab that is processed just like a routine pap smear. His doctor knew about the test, but at that time there was little agreement on how to diagnose and treat anal cancer, which is rare in the general population. "He said, 'even if I sent it in, the lab wouldn't process it,'" because the pap smear specimen wasn't from a female