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Anal Cancer on the rise among gay and bisexual men
Gay Men's Health Crisis and Harlem United to Host Community Forum
New York, NY — Anal cancer is on the increase among gay and bisexual men, and people living with HIV. Gay men are 20 times more likely than the general population to contract anal cancer. HIV-positive gay men are 40 times more likely than the general population to contract anal cancer.
The same high-risk strains of HPV (human papillomavirus) that cause most cervical cancers in women are also responsible for causing anal cancer. The virus, spread through receptive anal intercourse, is estimated to be present in 65% of gay men without HIV and 95% of those who are HIV positive. A simple and inexpensive anal Pap test detects the virus. Unfortunately, few physicians are performing anal screening exams and offering anal pap smears to gay men, resulting in anal cancer rates as high as those of cervical cancer before the use of routine Pap smears in women.
On Thursday, February 26, GMHC and Harlem United, two local AIDS services organizations, will host a community forum on anal cancer and gay/bisexual men. Liz Margolies, LCSW, Executive Director from the National LGBT Cancer Network, and Dan Bowers, MD, now in private practice, and former senior partner of Pacific Oaks Medical Group, will present on the latest information regarding prevention and treatment.
Event Information
Date: Thursday, February 26
Time: 6 pm to 7:30 pm
Place:
GMHC
The Tisch Building
119 West 24th Street – 9th floor
New York City
Subways: F/V to 23rd Street/6th Avenue; 1/9 to 23rd Street/7th Avenue
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Gay Men's Health Crisis (GMHC) is a not-for-profit, volunteer-supported and community-based organization committed to national leadership in the fight against AIDS. We provide prevention and care services to more than 15,000 men, women and families that are living with, or affected by, HIV/AIDS in New York City, and advocate for scientific, evidence-based public health solutions for hundreds of thousands worldwide.
Our Mission: GMHC fights to end the AIDS epidemic and uplift the lives of all affected.
© 2008 Gay Men's Health Crisis |
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