July is here, may it be a good month. We need it. It's at least sunny, so that's a start. It's supposed to get hot.
I found a good article today. It concerns HIV, HPV & anal cancer. While this cancer is still more prevalent in women, its numbers are high in men, especially those with HPV. Men with HPV who engage sex with men are at a higher risk. The chances grow if the person is HIV+.
The risk of anal cancer in HIV-positive men who have sex with men is now higher than the risk for cervical cancer was in women before the advent of Pap tests
Almost everyone who has ever had sex has been exposed to HPV, a large family of viruses that cause six types of cancer: anal cancer, cervical cancer, head and neck cancer, penis cancer, vaginal cancer, and vulvar cancer.
Most people have been exposed to HPV & HIV can greatly increase the chances of it developing into cancer. There is a vaccine. It can be given to children & up to the mid 40s. I had already aged out by the time I heard about the vaccine or I would've got it.
HIV is hard enough. HPV alone can be deadly. Combine them & it could be a disaster. If you can, get vaccinated. They have anal pap tests like cervical paps. It's up to you to educate yourself. Most likely your care provider won't even think about this matter.
Give this piece a read. Hello July, be good. Take care.
Cya...
