Men's Health

STIs + Cancer

Anal warts and anal cancer

Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) infection is very common and most sexually active men will become infected with different types of HPV at some point in their lives. Most people show no signs of the infections.

Different types of HPV cause genital/anal warts (usually types 6 & 11) and anal cancer (usually types 16&18). Only about 10% of men with HPV 6/11 develop warts while the rest are unaware of the infection. Similarly, few men with type 16/18 get anal cancer but it seems more likely in HIV positive men and smokers.

Prevention

Condoms provide the best protection against HPV but not as well as for some other STIs. There's a vaccination available which protects against four HPV types 6,11,16 and 18. Although this isn't available for free to gay men (it's available to some women and girls as part of the National HPV Immunisation Program), recent results show vaccination can prevent anal warts and is beneficial to men. Discuss this with your doctor or sexual health practitioner.

Some experts recommend an anal or ‘chap’ smear test for gay men (i.e. like the cervical smear or pap test in women) to detect early anal cancer. This is different to the anal swab for other STIs. While early detection of a true cancer would be good, we don’t know whether the more common early changes will turn into true cancer or whether treatment can prevent this happening. Because of this there are currently no recommendations for gay men to have regular checks for anal cancer.

If you do develop warts, don’t panic. Warts are easily treatable and don't turn into cancer.

Testicular cancer

Testicular cancer is most common in younger men between 15-35 years. It's important for guys to check their balls regularly and contact their GP if they notice any changes in size or shape.