What Are The Dangers Of 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 sex after cancer treatment

I went through a bout with anal cancer this spring. Chemo and radiation got the tumor - all clear now. The radiation ended up narrowing my anal canal. I'm too embarrassed to ask my doc about anal sex. Is it safe or is this part on my sexual...

Response from Robert J. Frascino, M.D.

The Robert James Frascino AIDS Foundation

Hi,Congratulations on beating anal cancer!Now what's this nonsense about being too embarrassed to talk to your doctor? You should be able to discuss anything with your physician. If you can't, you need to find a physician with whom you can... Read more »

What are the warning signs of anal cancer?

Hi Dr. Bruce, Could you tell me, what would be some warning signs of anal cancer? I occasionally have a little blood in my stools. What would you advise? Thank you,Concerned...

Response from Bruce Dezube, M.D.

Harvard Medical School

Anal cancer can indeed present at change in bowel habit; blood in stool, pain with bowel movements, lump or bump in the area, and so on. Most anal cancers in HIV'ers are related to the human papillomavirus (HPV); HPV causes anal warts. Many... 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 »

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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 »

HeteroSex is DANGEROUS!

Posted by Anonymous, 4 Replies

For all those who continually say heterosex is not as dangerous for a man.. Here is a posting from JAMA HIV/AIDS

The rate of male-to-female transmission was not significantly different from the rate of female-to-male transmission (12.0 per 100... Read more »

It's dangerous to Encourage people to go off meds.

Posted by Anonymous, 1 Reply

It is dangerous to encourage people to go without taking the anti-viral therapies. Not everyone can survive without them. I am happy for people who can, but there are many more who cannot and are having trouble being compliant with the medication... Read more »

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