Gay Men’s Sexual Health Alliance has published a new 2024 Factsheet on Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) and Anal Cancer Screening. This factsheet is for frontline, outreach, and public health staff, and others providing sexual health care and the communities of men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women (TW).
In the 2024 International Anal Neoplasia guidelines, MSM and TW living with HIV are prioritized for anal cancer screening.
HPV is a group of over 200 viruses that can cause cancer and skin warts, including anal warts. HPV strains (types) are divided into high-risk types, which can lead to cancer, and low-risk types, which usually cause warts. Nearly 50% of HPV infections are due to a high-risk strains, with around 14 identified high-risk strains. These HPV strains can cause cancer in the anus, mouth, throat and penis, as well as the cervix, vagina and vulva in AFAB (assigned female at birth) individuals. Most of the time, the immune system controls HPV infections to stop them from causing cancer.
Additional resources:
- HPV and Anal Cancer Screening Checklist (For healthcare providers and frontline staff)
- Postcards: HPV (Human Papiloma Virus) and Anal Cancer