Gardasil, the HPV vaccine approved for the prevention of HPV related cervical cancer has now been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to be used to prevent anal cancer in people age 9 to 26 years.
Many people believe anal cancer is only a problem in gay men due to anal sex.
However, women can get HPV related anal cancer as well. [LifeLube note - women have anal sex too, hon. It is not uncommon.]
In fact, the American Cancer Society estimates that there are 5300 new cases of anal cancer each year with more women being diagnosed than men. Anal cancer is still uncommon in the general population but the incidence is on the rise with 90% of cases being related to HPV. Experts note that Gardasil will not impact precancerous lesions already present at the time of vaccination. Also, for the maximum affect of Gardasil, people should be vaccinated prior to exposure to HPV; or simply put prior to becoming sexually active.
Click for links to more info on HPV, anal paps and Gardasil.
Click here for more LifeLube links on the topic of anal health.
Click here for the Gay Men's Health Crisis press release on Gardasil for men.
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