Another cancer we can prevent

Although no one talks about it much, one of the results of the AIDS epidemic has been that there has been an increase in the number of men diagnosed with anal cancer. This cancer arises in the anus, about a half-inch inside and above the opening. The first symptom is itching that doesn’t go away and then soreness and bleeding and finally, pain. In my practice, the only patients I saw with this were women. I wasn’t sure why until the discovery of HPV (Human Papilloma Virus). Not only is this the virus that causes cervical cancer and is sexually transmitted but now we know it also causes anal cancer. It isn’t clear whether a woman needs to have anal intercourse to increase their risk for anal cancer or whether it arises because the anus is in the same neighborhood as the vagina. With the AIDS epidemic, we began to see young men developing this cancer. This occurred mainly in the 1990’s and has continued until now. It isn’t certain why. We know that those suffering from AIDS have a lowered immune status.. Perhaps earlier, when people with AIDS were dying so quickly, the cancer never got a chance to develop. Now, as people, particularly men in the U.S. are living with the disease, it is beginning to show itself. Early in my practice, anal cancer was treated with surgery. That meant an extensive removal of the anus and a bag attached to the abdomen to drain the colon in place of the eliminated anus. Not pleasant. Later, we began using chemotherapy and radiation, wh...
Source: Dr.Kattlove's Cancer Blog - Category: Oncologists Source Type: blogs