People often refer toHPVas the “cervical cancervirus.”
However, that’s a misnomer.
HPV is associated with a number of cancers in both women and men, including anal cancer.
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Anal cancer risk is associated with the practice of unprotected(condomless) anal sex.
While the exact cause of anal cancer is not known, there are certain factors that increase the risk.
This includes HPV infection.
However, just over 10% of anal cancers are not due to HPV infections.
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How Common Is Anal Cancer?
This translates to about 2 new cases, and 0.3 deaths, per 100,000 people each year.
Several other things are clear.
The virus can migrate from other genital areas such as the vaginal canal or the perineum.
Will an Anal HPV Infection Definitely Lead to Cancer?
Most infections in heterosexual men and women clear within 6 months to a year.
Infections tend to last longer in MSM for reasons that are not well understood.
That is true even if an anal pap smear detects abnormal cells.
A large number of low-grade interepithelial neoplasias regress to normal and do not progress to become cancerous.
The first is to always use condoms during sex.
That’s particularly true for anal sex, but also for any throw in of genital sex.
This practice can’t entirely eliminate the risk of HPV infections, which are passed fromskin to skin.
Still, it can significantly reduce the likelihood of infection.
The other major way to reduce your risk of anal cancer is to be vaccinated with anHPV vaccine.
Ideally, individuals should be vaccinated as adolescents long before they have become sexually active.
However, the HPV vaccine may be worth considering even if you have had one or more sexual partners.
Although the HPV vaccines are very safe, they are not cheap.
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National Cancer Institute.Cancer Stat Facts: Anal Cancer.
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Texas Oncology.
Anal Cancer Fact Sheet.
