Is Anal Cancer Dangerous

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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

Can HIV Meds cause Anal trouble??

Dear Doc,I have been experiencing a problem for a while now regarding my anus.. I have read that being on Meds can cause Anus cancer and was wondering if this is so?? My anus has been very very itchy inside and i can feel small lumps im too...

Response from Keith Henry, M.D.

University of Minnesota, School of Medicine

I am unaware of any anal condition directly caused by HIV meds. Many medical conditions including a wide range of infections can cause anal itching. Hemorrhoids and other common medical conditions also often can cause itching in the anus. If HIV... Read more »

Annual anal PAP smears; who should get them? atypia-- what does this mean

In the mid 1970s I had anal warts. They were treated topically and never reoccurred. I was infected with HIV in 1999. In 2000 I started to get yearly anal PAP smears. In 2000 the lab report said scattered, poorly preserved atypical squamous cells...

Response from Bruce Dezube, M.D.

Harvard Medical School

I'm glad to hear that you are having a yearly anal PAP smear. For the readers of this forum, who are unfamiliar with anal PAP smears, let me explain. In a manner similar to the way women have been getting regular cervical PAP smears, anal PAP... Read more »

Anal Warts and HIV

Dear Dr. Gallant, You are a true angel. Thank you for giving so much to us who live with HIV. I have been positive andcelibate since 1992. I would really like to find a partner but am very embarassed by several anal warts that I am treatingmyself...

Response from Cal Cohen, M.D., M.S.

Harvard Medical School

It's very hard to treat anal warts by yourself, even with a really good mirror and excellent hand-eye coordination. Condylox is a very weak form of podophyllin, much weaker than the form that dermatologists use. If you have severe warts,... Read more »

Anal Intercourse

I am a 50 year gay male and I have been HIV+ for approximately 20 years. About a year ago I was diagnosed with bladder cancer. Even though there's no co-relation between bladder cancer and my HIV status, there is an indirect link since about 18...

Response from Keith Henry, M.D.

University of Minnesota, School of Medicine

I don't have any experience with a situation like you describe. If any reader can contribute either their own experience or a reference from a relevant published paper please post. KH... 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 »

Is this dangerous?

Posted by Anonymous, 2 Replies

Love going into a bar with a dark corner - my jeans torn along the seam - received anal sex in a local LA bar one night - the guy was huge - what surprised me wasn't that he was deep inside me (I just backed up on it) - but that he gave no... Read more »