Photo Credit: Nadzeya Haroshka

The following is a summary of “Needs and Opportunities for Anal Cancer Prevention in Patients Engaged With PrEP Care: Development of Conceptual Model,” published in the October 2024 issue of Primary Care by Wheldon et al. 

GBM and individuals with TGD face a higher risk of HPV-related anal cancer, preventable with vaccination and screening. Engaging them in PrEP care may enhance prevention efforts. 

Researchers conducted a retrospective study to examine the information, motivation, and behavioral skills influencing anal cancer prevention decisions, as well as healthcare utilization patterns affecting PrEP users’ engagement in prevention efforts. 

They used purposive sampling in the United States to include diverse PrEP users aged 18 to 45 across gender and ethnoracial identities. Participants were recruited from healthcare clinics, social media, and community venues, with interviews recorded, transcribed, and coded using structural, pattern, and theoretical methods. 

The results showed that participants (N = 36) were primarily cisgender gay ethnoracial minority men. They identified 29 codes across 3 categories: decision-making, healthcare utilization, and system influences. Participants often lacked critical information about HPV and anal cancer, holding misconceptions about risks and healthcare interactions shaped their motivation for prevention. At the same time, barriers included fragmented care and reliance on telemedicine. Many accessed PrEP through telehealth, valuing its convenience and cost-effectiveness, often without a primary care provider. The importance of LGBTQ+-affirmative healthcare services was emphasized. 

Investigators concluded that integrating patient education and prevention services into PrEP management enhanced the reach and equity of anal cancer prevention by addressing misinformation, system-level changes, and unmet needs. 

Source: journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/21501319241295914