This factsheet is for front-line, outreach, and public health staff, and others providing sexual health care and the communities of gay, bi, men who have sex with men (gbMSM) and transgender women.

In 2024 International Anal Neoplasia guidelines were developed for gbMSM and  transgender women living with HIV to be prioritized for anal cancer screening.  Human papillomavirus (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 lowrisk 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.  Nearly all sexually active people will become infected with HPV at some point after becoming sexually active.

The factsheet is accompanied with two postcards for community members. It encourages folks to talk to their health care provider about their anal health and to ask about the HPV vaccine. The QR code links out to more information.  Including online is a  poster  for health care providers and community workers to have as a reminder on facts about HPV and linkage to their trans-femme and gbMSM population.

All resources are available online at GMSH.CA