Factors associated with anal cancer screening uptake in men who have sex with men living with HIV: a cross-sectional study

Eur J Cancer Prev. 2020 Jan;29(1):1-6. doi: 10.1097/CEJ.0000000000000507.

Abstract

Most western countries have guidelines on anal cancer screening for men who have sex with men (MSM) living with HIV. However, adherence to these guidelines has been studied poorly. This cross-sectional study reports anal cancer screening uptake and identifies the factors associated with a previous screening in MSM living with HIV in a Paris Hospital (France). A total of 410 outpatients completed a self-administered questionnaire on anal cancer screening. The median age was 50 years and the median time from HIV diagnosis was 14.2 years. Overall, 82.2% of patients were aware of anal cancer screening and, of these, 56.7% had already undergone a screening test. The absence of history of screening (43.3%) was most often explained by lack of time (31.3%) or information (28.2%). Among patients familiar with the anal screening procedure, those older than 50 years (adjusted odds ratio=2.4, 95% confidence interval=1.3-4.7, P=0.007) and informed by healthcare providers (adjusted odds ratio=8.2, 95% confidence interval=2.5-32.0, P=0.001) were more likely to have already been screened. To date, adherence to anal cancer screening in MSM living with HIV appears to be inadequate to enable diagnosis of cancer at its early stages. Encouraging physicians to inform MSM living with HIV about anal cancer screening, irrespective of their age, could be an effective strategy to improve anal cancer screening uptake.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Ambulatory Care Facilities / statistics & numerical data
  • Anus Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Anus Neoplasms / epidemiology
  • Anus Neoplasms / prevention & control*
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Early Detection of Cancer / standards
  • Early Detection of Cancer / statistics & numerical data*
  • HIV Infections / epidemiology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Paris / epidemiology
  • Patient Compliance / statistics & numerical data*
  • Patient Education as Topic / organization & administration
  • Patient Education as Topic / statistics & numerical data
  • Practice Guidelines as Topic
  • Risk Factors
  • Sexual and Gender Minorities / statistics & numerical data*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires