Anal cancer, caused mostly by HPV, is growing rapidly in the USA

[LivingnLA]

https://www.nbcnews.com/health/mens-health/what-are-symptoms-anal-cancer-disease-rise-u-s-n1086151

 

The United States is experiencing a “dramatic and concerning” rise in the rate of new anal cancer cases and deaths from the disease, particularly among young black men and elderly women, researchers reported Tuesday.

The incidence of squamous cell carcinoma of the anus — the most common type of anal cancer — rose 2.7 percent per year over a recent 15-year period, while anal cancer mortality rates increased 3.1 percent per year during that time.

 

At this rate, the disease can be considered as one of the fastest accelerating causes of cancer incidence and mortality in the U.S., said the study’s lead author Ashish Deshmukh, an assistant professor at the UTHealth School of Public Health in Houston.

 

Among some of the startling statistics: The risk of developing anal cancer was five times higher for black men born in the mid-1980s compared to those born in the mid-1940s. That may be because young black men are disproportionately affected by HIV, which raises the risk for developing the cancer, Deshmukh said.

The risk doubled among white men and white women born after 1960. The disease may surpass cervical cancer to become the leading human papillomavirus-linked cancer in elderly women, the study noted. One possible reason: Older people have weaker immune systems, impairing their ability to clear HPV from their bodies, and elderly women outnumber elderly men.

The proportion of cases diagnosed when the cancer had already spread to other parts of the body doubled, which suggests the rise in cases isn’t driven by more intense screening that would catch early-stage tumors, Deshmukh noted.

“It’s really hard to understand what might be causing the rise in incidence and mortality,” he added. Possible reasons include more risky sexual behavior in recent decades and the rise in obesity rates, which could be a factor, he said.

[+ Charlie]

My doctor strongly recommends that his gay patients get tested for HPV.

[LivingnLA]

My doctor strongly recommends that his gay patients get tested for HPV.

 

https://www.cdc.gov/std/hpv/stdfact-hpv-and-men.htm

 

Interesting. The CDC doesn't currently recommend anal Pap smears though that guidance seems to slowly be changing for men who receive anal sex.

 

The best bet is to use condoms correctly and consistently and for men under 45 to get the HPV vaccine because it'll probably provide some protection against the strains that they haven't been exposed to yet.