Gay men and hpv
Gay men and anal cancer
HIV Australia | Vol. 11 No. 2 | July 2013
Mary Poynten and Andrew Grulich travel the connection between the human papillomavirus (HPV) and anal cancer among queer men, highlighting findings from the SPANC study.
Background – human papilloma virus, anal intraepithelial neoplasia and anal cancer
Human papillomavirus (HPV), which predominantly spreads through blunt skin to skin contact, is the most usual sexually transmitted infection globally.
Approximately 40 types of HPV have the propensity to infect the ano-genital area. These types are classified into high risk (HR) and low risk (LR) HPV, depending on their oncogenic potential – i.e., their capacity to induce tumour formation.1
Oncogenic high uncertainty HPV can be detected in 80% to 90% of anal cancers,23 placing anal cancer second only to cervical cancer in the strength of its association with HPV infection.
HPV16 is the most frequent type of HPV connected with anal cancer (85–90% of all HPV-positive cases), followed by HPV18 (less than 10%).45
Anal HPV infection among gay men is substantially more common than cervical HPV infection is in women.
A recently published meta-analysis of the pr
Did you know that lgbtq+ and bi guys aged 20-34 who are living in NSW can receive a free HPV vaccination until 31st December 2018?
Great news right!? But maybe you’re also thinking…uh, what is HPV? And why should we be getting vaccinated against it? Well, let me explain.
What is HPV?
The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a super common sexually transmitted infection. HPV is the virus that can cause genital warts, anal warts and can lead to an increased risk of certain types of cancer. There are many different strains of HPV and only some strains of HPV cause genital or anal warts, while others can lead to cancer, though generally this is a rare occurrence. Most sexually active gay guys will get HPV at some point in their lives and it’s usually not a big deal.
Still, because it can cause genital and anal warts, as well increasing your uncertainty of anal cancer, it’s better for your health if you can shun it.
While carrying HPV is very common, only about 10% of guys who have HPV will ever develop visible warts. These usually go away on their own, but can also be treated with creams or paints. They can also be burnt or frozen off by a doctor.
HPV is passed on from skin to skin contact, an
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the Combined States. HPV is the virus associated with genital warts. Some health effects caused by HPV can be prevented with vaccines.
What is HPV?
HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI). HPV is a different virus than HIV and HSV (herpes). HPV is so common that nearly all sexually active men and women get it at some point in their lives. There are many different types of HPV. Some types can produce health problems including genital warts and cancers. But there are vaccines that can stop these health problems from happening.
How is HPV spread?
You can procure HPV by having vaginal, anal, or oral sex with someone who has the virus. It is most commonly spread during vaginal or anal sex. HPV can be passed even when an infected person has no signs or symptoms.
Anyone who is sexually active can procure HPV, even if you have had sex with only one person. You also can develop symptoms years after you acquire sex with someone who is infected making it hard to know when you first became infected.
Does HPV cause health problems?
In most cases, HPV goes away on its possess and does not lead to any
High prevalence of oral HPV infection in Dutch male lover men
Oral infection with human papillomavirus (HPV) is common among gay men, Dutch investigators report in the online edition of AIDS. Prevalence was especially high among HIV-positive homosexual men, who were also more likely to be infected with the strains of HPV associated with a high-risk of cancers of the head and neck.
“This study demonstrates a high HPV prevalence in the oral cavity of sexually active MSM [men who have sex with men], and particularly in HIV-infected MSM,” compose the authors.
They believe their research suggests that HIV-positive men would be especially likely to benefit from HPV vaccination.
Glossary
human papilloma virus (HPV)
Some strains of this virus cause warts, including genital and anal warts. Other strains are responsible for cervical cancer, anal cancer and some cancers of the penis, vagina, vulva, urethra, tongue and tonsils.
oral
Refers to the mouth, for example a medicine taken by mouth.
strain
A variant characterised by a specific genotype.
adjusted odds ratio (AOR)
Comparing one group with another, expresses differences in the odds of something happening. An odds ra
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