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Good article and glad to see VA clinic screens for anal health/HPV. But not only for HIV+ men, but, but all sexually active adults should be screened for HPV, and followed up if there's anything abnormal. Women with abnormal cervical paps are at risk for anal cancer too. I had anal-genital warts burned off in 1975, but had anal cancer return in that spot 15 years later. I survived the treatment, but wish it could have been prevented. Bravo for promoting anal paps and HRA.
One thing that the article neglected to mention is that having HPV elevates the risk of anal cancer. There are a lot of men out there with HPV, and you don't have to practice anal sex to become infected. Just having the virus can manifest in anal lesions or cancer. I was diagnosed with a precancerous lesion in 2007, and was treated with Aldara cream off label, and have had no trouble for four years.
Roberto Vidal
Since the HPV vaccine can help protect against the most virulent strains of papilloma virus, why are insurance companies not covering for the vaccination of gay men or HIV infected individuals?
May 10, 2011 • Chicago