Anal HPV, Pre-Cancerous Growths Are Common in HIV-Positive Men, Study Finds

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Anal HPV, Pre-Cancerous Growths Are Common in HIV-Positive Men, Study FindsIt's becoming increasingly clear that people with HIV are more likely to have anal human papillomavirus (HPV) -- even if they haven't had anal sex -- and to develop anal lesions that can potentially become cancerous if they go untreated. A new study of 188 HIV-positive Venezuelan men who have sex with men found that 56 percent had HPV and about 42 percent had anal intraepithelial neoplasia, an abnormal growth of cells in the anus. The upshot: testing, testing, testing, especially if you're an HIV-positive gay man. (Article from Project Inform) You can read the abstract of this study from the International AIDS Conference online. Despite the high rates and dangers of HPV among people with HIV, many health care providers don't offer anal Pap smears or other types of tests that can help spot potential problems before they turn into cancer. However, there are resources you can turn to: This list, compiled by the University of California-San Francisco, includes a number of providers in Australia, Canada and the United States who provide HPV-related services for people with HIV -- including a procedure known as high-resolution anoscopy, which is sometimes used as a follow-up test after a person's anal Pap smear reveals an abnormality. It's only a deal if it's where you want to go. Find your travel deal here.