Modifying lifestyle, HPV vaccine can help prevent anal cancer

the Oncology Nurse Advisor take:

Anal cancer is not a common disease, although it is not one that is often publicly discussed. There are screening recommendations in Europe and the United States that indicate that people at high risk, such as those who are HIV-positive, women with genital cancers or precancerous lesions, and people who have underdone organ transplants, should be regularly screened.  This screening involves an anal PAP test or exploration of the anal canal.  Anal cancer affects more women than men, and in Canada, 64% of anal cancer cases are found in women. According to a review published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, anal cancer is preventable with the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine and other appropriate lifestyle changes. These changes include condom use, since anal cancer is a sexually transmitted disease, and smoking cessation, because smoking has been found to be a risk factor for the disease.  The HPV vaccine prevents cervical cancer in women, but it is also recommended in Canada for boys and men between the ages of 9 and 26 years for the prevention of anal intraepithelial neoplasia, anal cancer and anogenital warts. For patients who are high risk, doctors should monitor them for the warning signs of anal cancer and should perform appropriate digital exams.