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Improving Anal Cancer Screening Messages Through Interviews From Men Who Have Sex With Men.
Isabel Thomas1, Travis Clark1, J Michael Wilkerson1
1School of Public Health, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, USA.
Summary
Anal cancer screening is low in men who have sex with men, especially those with HIV. This study found strong support for self and companion exams, emphasizing culturally tailored messages to reduce stigma and improve screening rates.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Public Health
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Anal cancer disproportionately impacts men who have sex with men (MSM), particularly those living with HIV.
- Low screening rates for anal cancer persist in high-risk populations.
- There is a need for effective supplemental screening tools and interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the acceptability of anal self-exams and companion exams as supplemental screening tools.
- To identify participant preferences for messaging and communication strategies.
- To inform the development of interventions to increase anal cancer screening.
Main Methods:
- A mixed-methods approach was employed with 131 participants in Chicago and Houston.
- Data were collected through surveys and semi-structured interviews.
- Thematic and descriptive analyses were used to interpret the findings.
Main Results:
- Participants showed strong support for normalizing anal self-exams and companion exams.
- Culturally tailored messaging, diverse representation, and stigma-reducing visuals are crucial.
- Trusted community sources and relatable, empowering communication were preferred.
Conclusions:
- Findings offer actionable guidance for designing interventions to increase anal cancer awareness and screening.
- Integrating culturally relevant, visually engaging, and stigma-reducing messaging is key.
- Public health initiatives can enhance anal cancer prevention strategies by addressing identified barriers.
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