Anal Sex and Anal Cancer?

[InkOfTruth]

This may be a stupid question. But, for the recipient, does anal sex increase the risk of developing anal cancer?

At face value, it seems to make sense. But I know nothing about anal cancer. Has there been research that confirms the increase risk?

 

[justapixel]

This may be a stupid question. But, for the recipient, does anal sex increase the risk of developing anal cancer?

Of course it does.

anal cancer in straight men
0.8/100k
anal cancer in HIV - gay men
35/100k
anal cancer in HIV + gay men
70/100k


http://www.genderandhealth.ca/en/modules/sexandsexuality/gss-gay-men-issues-04.jsp

 

[KaraBulut]

There seems to be a connection between human papilloma virus (HPV) and both oral and anal cancers.

This is not exclusive to gay men- it also occurs in women. There has been a long established link between HPV and cervical cancer in women, so there should be no surprise that similar links would be found to oral and anal cancers.

 

[LoveIsNow]

The real risk is related to contracting HPV, one of the most rampant and least perceptible STD's. Ever seen those Gardasil commercials that say they help prevent cervical cancer? What they really prevent is most types of HPV, which is the main cause of cervical cancer. It is also the main cause of anal cancer, and can cause cancer in the vagina, vulva, mouth, throat, and penis. HPV does not usually cause cancer, but there is an increased risk. Gardasil has been approved for men in the USA and you can get it.

I have also read that studies have shown a decrease in prostate cancer is associated with receptive anal sex, on the plus side.

 

[InkOfTruth]

Is this type of cancer prevalent? While we should be concerned about it, is it that common that we should be worried about considering to engage in anal sex?

And since we only know that there might be a link between HPV and this cancer, is there really any way other than a condom to prevent it? Besides not having anal sex?

 

[KaraBulut]

Is this type of cancer prevalent? While we should be concerned about it, is it that common that we should be worried about considering to engage in anal sex?

And since we only know that there might be a link between HPV and this cancer, is there really any way other than a condom to prevent it? Besides not having anal sex?

The answer is that cancers of the large intestine (colon, rectal and anal) are common with about 150,000 new cases diagnosed each year. But HPV is not the only cause and the research is really only beginning to unravel the connection between HPV and cancers, so we really don't know all of the answers.

A condom will help reduce your risk. It is not 100% reduction of risk because HPV is spread by contact, not by body fuilds in the way that HIV and typical STDs are spread.

When a HPV immunization becomes avaialble, this will help. There are several types of HPV and the immunization that is available (Gardasil) is designed to protect women from the types that are connected with cervical cancer. There are plans to develop an immunization that covers the types that are associated with oral and anorectal cancers but it is not available at this time.

One limitation of the current vaccine is that it is to be administered before women become sexually active, so if this recommendation is the same, the immunization for oral and anorectal cancers would need to be administered during the pre-teen years.

This is not something to freak out about, though. The risk factors and recommendations are the same for HPV as they are for HIV (and other STDs): Use condoms. Reduce the number of sex partners (and choose them wisely when you're sober).

 

[justapixel]

Is this type of cancer prevalent? While we should be concerned about it, is it that common that we should be worried about considering to engage in anal sex?

anal cancer in straight men 0.8 cancers per 100,000 men
anal cancer in HIV - gay men 35 cancers per 100,000 men
anal cancer in HIV + gay men 70 cancers per 100,000 men

 

[justapixel]

One limitation of the current vaccine is that it is to be administered before women become sexually active, so if this recommendation is the same, the immunization for oral and anorectal cancers would need to be administered during the pre-teen years.

This is incorrect.

There is no limitation that the vaccine has to be administrated before a person becomes sexually active.

The vaccine must be administered before the person becomes infected with HPV. This could occur at any age, before or after becoming sexually active. The vaccine has no effect on a infected person.

If you are 30+ and are not infected and sexually active, you are a candidate for the vaccine (and should get it).

 

[KaraBulut]

The vaccine must be administered before the person becomes infected with HPV.

Technically this is true. The problem is that there's not a reliable means to determine whether a person is infected and if so, which strains they are infected with. So, the CDC has recommended that the HPV immunization be administered in girls (and optionally boys) in the pre-teen years before they become sexually active.

And it is important to keep in mind that Gardasil only protects against HPV types 6, 11, 16 and 18 that are known to be associated with cervical dyplasia/cancer in women and with genital warts in men. It does not offer protection against other types that are associated with oral and anorectal cancers.

From the CDC recommendations (http://www.cdc.gov/std/hpv/STDFact-HPV-vaccine-young-women.htm);

Who should get the HPV vaccine
The HPV vaccine is recommended for 11 and 12 year-old girls. It is also recommended for girls and women age 13 through 26 years of age who have not yet been vaccinated or completed the vaccine series.

Will sexually active females benefit from the vaccine?
Ideally females should get the vaccine before they become sexually active, when they may be exposed to HPV. Females who are sexually active may also benefit from the vaccine, but they may get less benefit from it. This is because they may have already gotten an HPV type targeted by the vaccine. Few sexually active young women are infected with all HPV types covered by the vaccine so they would still get protection from those types they have not yet gotten. Currently, there is no test available to tell if a girl/woman has had HPV in the past, or which types.

Last fall, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Gardasil for the prevention of genital warts in males ages nine through 26. However, in the October 2009 meeting of the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices the decision was to list this as an optional immunization and not a standard part of the childhood immunization regime for boys.

 

[bulge]

Are there any benefits from anal?

http://www.gayfisters.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1060

My doctor knows I am gay and thought I was into anal. I said him I wasn't. He said not everything is bad in anal, which astonished me.


He said I would get rid of hemorroids by putting a finger in from time to time which has proven true and he also said there is nothing against prostate massage. It even can be beneficial and it is one of the oldiest crafts of mankind.