Over two-thirds of HIV-positive patients in an Australian cohort had abnormal cells in the anus, and 84% had anal infection with strains of human papilloma virus (HPV) that are associated with a high risk of anal cancer, according to an Australian study published in the April edition of Sexually Transmitted Infections. The investigators found that infection with high risk HPV was associated with the presence of high-grade pre-cancerous cells and pre-cancerous cells of undetermined, but potentially high-grade, significance.
Anal cancer is a serious condition associated with high rates of illness and death. The prevalence of anal cancer amongst gay men is thought to be similar to that amongst women before screening for cervical cancer was introduced (approximately 35 cases per 100,000). Higher rates of anal cancer have been observed in HIV-positive individuals, (but the condition is still rare in this patient group).
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