Facts About Anal Cancer

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Anal Cancer, HIV and Gay/Bisexual Men

In the general population, anal cancer is a rare disease. Few people knew about it before Farrah Fawcett made public her struggle with the illness. Among men who have sex with men (MSM), and especially HIV-positive MSM, the incidence of anal cancer is significantly more prevalent and increasing annually. 1 However, the majority of gay and bisexual men know little about the disease, have never been tested for it, nor know that screening tests...

Ask the Experts

Anal Cancer; can you get it by masturbating

This is a simple but very serious question. Since you can contract anal cancer from homosexual activity, is it possible to also contract anal cancer from excessive masturbation only?Sincerely,Francis ...

Response from Bruce Dezube, M.D.

Harvard Medical School

You can NOT get anal cancer from masturbating. In fact, you can not get any cancer from masturbating. Masturbation is a completely safe activity. Most cases of anal cancer in gay men are caused by the HPV virus (human papillomavirus, also known... Read more »

Anal cancer risk factors

I was recently diagnosed with anal cancer. I'm curious which risk factor was more important: the fact that I have HIV or that I'm over 50? (I know that being a gay man who had anal sex certainly played a role!)...

Response from Graeme Moyle, M.D.

Chelsea and Westminster Hospital

I am sorry to hear about that.The main risk factors for anal cancer with HIV are low CD4, smoking and type and number of human papilloma viris strains you are carrying (the more partners you have the more of these you get). Most cancer become more... Read more »

anal cancer?

Dr. Pierone,It seems that hiv patients still get alot of cases of anal and colorectal cancer? What is being done to prevent these occurences from occuring? And are better drugs being put in for treatment?Lyle...

Response from Gerald Pierone, M.D.

AIDS Research and Treatment Center of the Treasure Coast

I think that there are more cases of anal cancer since people are living much longer with HIV and we need to do more to make an early diagnosis. Most cases of anal cancer are related to papilloma virus infections. These viral infections most often... Read more »

Progressing from dysplasia to anal cancer; I've had enough!!

Dr. Dezube:I am 32 years old and have been dealing with HIV for the better part of the last ten years. I also have human papillomavirus and, consequently, have been dealing with high-grade anal dysplasia for six years. What has been truly...

Response from Bruce Dezube, M.D.

Harvard Medical School

I feel for you. These repeat surgeries sound unpleasant, to say the least. Being HIV-positive does inded speed up the rate by which high-grade dysplasia develops into anal cancer.However, even if you were to be HIV-negative, everything you... Read more »

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Anal cancer

Posted by Anonymous, 1 Reply

I tested positive 14 years ago, and have had several AIDS complications. But this is my most recent cause for alarm:
My rectal surgeon has been monitoring and burning off my anal warts for the past 2 years. Recently, we decided one recurring spot... Read more »

I'm trying not to scare anyone, but facts are fact

Posted by Anonymous, 6 Replies

In fact I'm not trying to scare anyone, and I don't want to make a kid's game out of the Bulletin Board. I'm just trying to make everyone realize that 99,9% of people doesn't cover all individuals, when talking about tests... I'm sure that 999 of... Read more »

Anal wart surgery

Posted by Anonymous, 8 Replies

I am about to have surgery for anal warts that I have in my anal canal. I was wondering if anyone else has had the outpatient surgery and tell me wht it's like post-op. when will I be able to go back to work? How long am I likey to be in discomfort? Read more »

anal sex=HIV?

Posted by Anonymous, 1 Reply

I just read something suggesting that maybe AIDS is the result of drugs and anal sex. Think about this: you are having a foreign substance shot into your bloodstream--after so much fighting off "invaders" or semen maybe the immune system is... Read more »

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