HIV

Anal cancer screening was raised at my HIV appointment

Clinic mentioned screening for anal precancer. It came out of nowhere and I did not know this was a thing.

long_grass 3 months ago

NoteMember experience, not medical advice. Symptoms overlap between infections and only a test can tell them apart.

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far_field 3 months ago

It is a relatively recent addition to routine HIV care in several places. A large trial showed that treating high grade anal precancerous lesions substantially reduced progression to cancer, and it was stopped early because the result was clear.

That changed guidelines, and screening programmes for people with HIV followed.

evening_ferry 3 months ago

In practice it usually starts with a digital examination and sometimes a swab, with referral to a specialist examination if something needs a closer look. It is not the whole procedure for everyone at the first appointment.

back_porch 3 months ago

Availability of the specialist examination is the bottleneck in a lot of places, so waits can be long. Worth asking what the pathway is where you are rather than assuming it will be quick.

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