NSW gay men key to anal cancer study

NSW gay men key to anal cancer study

VOLUNTEERS are being asked to take part in a study looking at ways to prevent a rare cancer particularly prevalent among gay men.

Anal cancer is a disease that affects the inner lining of the anus close to the sphincter.

Professor Andrew Grulich from the Kirby Institute at UNSW runs the Study of the Prevention of Anal Cancer Program, or SPANC.

According to Grulich, the human papillomavirus (HPV) is the prime cause of anal cancer.

“There are some 100 forms of HPV; some cause genital warts while other types cause more than 90% of anal cancers,” he said.

The SPANC study aims to track the levels of anal HPV infection related cancers in gay men.

While one of the rarer cancers, Grulich said gay men were 20 times more likely to develop anal cancer than any other group: “For HIV-positive men the risk is further elevated with anal cancer now the most common non AIDS-defining cancer and the third most common cancer overall for people with HIV in Australia.”

Volunteers to the study most be over 35, living in and around Sydney and have had sex with other men.

Researchers are particularly keen to hear from HIV-positive gay men.

The study involves six sessions over three years that consist of a combination of interviews and physical examinations.

“Results of the study will provide important information to guide the future introduction of anal cancer screening programs for gay men,” said Grulich.

 

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7 responses to “NSW gay men key to anal cancer study”

  1. What David said. Contact details please.

    Re Anonymous……You’re assumption MAY be correct unless it is actually something to do with anal sex using penis penetration and semen and a strong audience for this would be gay men who are positive. Sure, women may engage in anal sex but highly unlikely it would be as high as gay men.

    Interestingly they are asking for HIV+ men which might indicate this is perhaps also about unprotected sex.

    Instead of some inferred claim of misogyny and attacking the article….ask for a follow up article and clarification.

    I for one would be interested to know what its targeting men and a preference for HIV+ men.

  2. What David said. Contact details please.

    Re Anonymous……You’re assumption MAY be correct unless it is actually has something to do with anal sex using a penis penetration and semen. Interestingly they are asking for HIV+ men which might indicate this. Instead of some inferred claim of misogyny and attacking the article….ask for a follow up article and clarification.

    I for one would be interested to know what its targeting men and a preference for HIV+ men.

  3. We need more HIV/AIDs education and information. It’s very important!!
    The number of members on the largest HIV/AIDs dating&support site === PositiveChat?c0m (if I spell the site correctly) has reached 731,000 members.
    OMG! Why so many guys and girls on the site are very sexy? Why so many people are infected by HIV/AIDs? There is no doubt that we need protected sex.

  4. I find it outrageously homophobic that this has taken so long to be researched. As a woman I also find it ridiculous that it is assumed women in general do not have anal sex and arent susceptible to anal cancer….’obviously anal cancer doesn’t need the attention of cervical
    Cancer because it’s a perverts disease’ (note obvious sarcasm)

  5. You have said Volunteers are needed for this study but how does someone get involved. You have forgotten to add contact details