Mostly gay get anal cancer

HPV risk is increased by having anal sex and having many sex partners. Smoking also increases your risk for this cancer. Another risk factor is a weak immune system because of HIV infection or other factors. You can help reduce your risk of anal cancer by not having many sex partners and using condoms. Quitting smoking can also help lower your risk of anal cancer and many other cancers.

Anal cancer in gay men or men having sex with men MSM has the appearance of being the next major health crisis within the gay community. This disease has been discussed for years within the medical community of the USA but up to this point has received very little press in either the queer or popular press. The reason for this is that the anus and the cervix are composed of similar tissues. It has been known for decades that the predominate cause of cervical cancer is HPV. The cause of anal cancer, which is primarily also HPV, has only recently been discovered in approximately the last decade. Approximately 20 years ago, the incidence of anal cancer in both men and women was extremely low.

Sexually Transmitted Diseases STDs have been rising among gay and bisexual men, with increases in syphilis being seen across the country. Gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men often get other STDs, including chlamydia and gonorrhea infections. Some types of HPV can cause genital and anal warts and some can lead to the development of anal and oral cancers. Gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men are 17 times more likely to get anal cancer than heterosexual men.

The Los Angeles Times calls anal cancer "the next big crisis" for the gay community. According to the American Cancer Society, the future looks grim. The study shows that anal cancer comes from the sexually transmitted virus HPV.