Journal article
Baseline findings from the Anal Cancer Examination (ACE) study: Screening using digital ano-rectal examination in HIV-positive men who have sex with men
JJ Ong, A Grulich, S Walker, J Hoy, T Read, C Bradshaw, SM Garland, R Hillman, D Templeton, J Hocking, B Eu, BK Tee, CK Fairley
Journal of Medical Screening | Published : 2016
Abstract
Objective: Cytological screening for anal cancer precursors is not always possible. We investigated digital ano-rectal examination (DARE) as a means of early anal cancer detection in HIV-positive men who have sex with men (MSM). Methods: We recruited 327 HIV-positive MSM aged 35 and over from clinics with HIV physicians in Melbourne, Australia, to receive an annual DARE. We analyzed baseline data from patient questionnaires regarding general, anal and sexual health, adverse effects from the anal examination, cancer worry, and quality of life. Results: The majority of men (82%, 95% CI:78–87) felt relaxed during the DARE, 1% (95% CI:0–3) complained of pain, and 1% (95% CI:0–4) reported bleedin..
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Awarded by Australian National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Acknowledgements
The study was funded by an Australian National Health and Medical Research Council Project Grant (568971). We thank all participants of the study and the research coordinators from the various clinical sites - Stuart Cook, Sally Price and Danielle Collins. We also acknowledge the contributions of Marcus Chen, Meredith Temple-Smith, John Kaldor and Sepehr Tabrizi to the study.