Men who have sex with other men, especially those living with HIV, are at risk for anal cancer. A recent large clinical trial of gay men throughout the US has shown that there is a way to identify and treat precancerous lesions of the anus and prevent anal cancer from forming. This is called High Resolution Anoscopy or “HRA” and can be performed in a few minutes in a clinic or procedure room by a highly trained expert provider.
Unfortunately, most people at risk for anal cancer are not screened by their providers to see if they should be referred to a specialist for HRA. Screening involves a doctor or nurse using a soft cotton-tipped swab to collect cells from the anus. An expert pathologist then looks for any abnormal cells that could be precancerous.