SAVETHEBOTTOMS!!! hosts a screening booth at Twin Cities Pride Festival in Loring Park. In 2023 we screened over 100 people. This year we will be offering a free onsite anal cancer screening test. A private tent will be provided for participants to perform a self-swab, which will then be sent to the University of Minnesota to check for abnormal cells and high-risk HPV types. On-site clinicians will be available to perform the swab for people who don’t want to perform it on themselves. Those who undergo an on-site anal swab at Pride will also be entered for a chance to win one of many $50 Amazon giftcards.
You will be contacted with the results regardless of whether they are positive or negative. People who screen positive for abnormal cells or high-risk HPV types will be invited to undergo High Resolution Anoscopy (HRA) at the University of Minnesota Clinics and Surgery Center (909 Fulton Street SE, Minneapolis) to identify and treat any possible anal precancers.
This year we are also pleased to be offering the HPV vaccine to those who have not previously received it or have not completed the series. Recently, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommended the HPV vaccine to men and transgender women who have sex with men up to the age of 45 years old. There is some anecdotal evidence that the vaccine may be helpful in ages beyond 45 years old as well. Those who receive the HPV vaccine at Pride will be invited for follow up doses (it’s a 3-part series) at the University of Minnesota Clinics and Surgery Center (909 Fulton Street SE, Minneapolis). For more information on the HPV vaccine and its role in anal cancer prevention please click here.
Even if you don’t qualify or don’t want to undergo screening or vaccination at Pride, you should still come check us out! You can learn more about HPV-related anal disease, donate to our fund to help promote anal cancer screening and prevention, and take home some hilarious swag that will be a hit at the gym, pool, bar or wherever your Pride celebrating takes you!
