State Variation in Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Anus Incidence and Mortality, and Association With HIV/AIDS and Smoking in the United States.

PURPOSE: Squamous cell carcinoma of the anus (SCCA) incidence and mortality rates are rising in the United States. Understanding state-level incidence and mortality patterns and associations with smoking and AIDS prevalence (key risk factors) could help unravel disparities and provide etiologic clues. METHODS: Using the US Cancer Statistics and the National Center for Health Statistics data sets, we estimated state-level SCCA incidence and mortality rates. Rate ratios (RRs) were calculated to compare incidence and mortality in 2014-2018 versus 2001-2005. The correlations between SCCA incidence with current smoking (from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System) and AIDS (from the HIV Surveillance system) prevalence were evaluated using Spearman's rank correlation coefficient. RESULTS: Nationally, SCCA incidence and mortality rates (per 100,000) increased among men (incidence, 2.29-3.36, mortality, 0.46-0.74) and women (incidence, 3.88-6.30, mortality, 0.65-1.02) age ≥ 50 years, but decreased among men age < 50 years and were stable among similar-aged women. In state-level analysis, a marked increase in incidence (≥ 1.5-fold for men and ≥ two-fold for women) and mortality (≥ two-fold) for persons age ≥ 50 years was largely concentrated in the Midwestern and Southeastern states. State-level SCCA incidence rates in recent years (2014-2018) among men were correlated (r = 0.47, P < .001) with state-level AIDS prevalence patterns. For women, a correlation was observed between state-level SCCA incidence rates and smoking prevalence (r = 0.49, P < .001). CONCLUSION: During 2001-2005 to 2014-2018, SCCA incidence and mortality nearly doubled among men and women age ≥ 50 years living in Midwest and Southeast. State variation in AIDS and smoking patterns may explain variation in SCCA incidence. Improved and targeted prevention is needed to combat the rise in SCCA incidence and mitigate magnifying geographic disparities.

Provider preferences for anal cancer prevention screening: Results of the International Anal Neoplasia Society survey.

OBJECTIVE: This study explores provider preferences regarding anal cancer screening indications, initiation age, tools, and referral threshold to high resolution anoscopy (HRA). METHODS: International Anal Neoplasia Society affiliates were invited to complete an online survey. Options for initiation age and tools were delineated by sub-groups. HRA referral thresholds separately queried recommendations by patient immune status. RESULTS: One hundred forty respondents participated. Although consensus was lacking with regard to specific screening initiation age, more respondents recommended younger initiation ages for men who have sex with men (MSM) living with HIV (LWH) compared with MSM not LWH (p < 0.01). "No age threshold" ranged 44-55% among sub-groups with lower genital tract disease. Cytology and digital anorectal exam (DARE) were the most frequently selected tools for all sub-groups (ranges 77-90% and 74-86%, respectively). HRA was recommended significantly more frequently for MSM LWH (58%) and patients with vulvar cancer (52%) compared to others (p < 0.01). "Any [test] abnormality" was more often selected as indication for HRA for immunocompromised (56%) and immunocompetent (46%) patients than a specific cytology test result (29%, 36% respectively). CONCLUSION: Cytology and DARE were preferred screening tools; screening initiation age and HRA referral threshold showed less consensus. Evidence-based guidelines are needed and may lead to more consistent screening practices.

Early Outcomes of a High-Resolution Anoscopy-Based Anal Cancer Screening Program Among People With HIV Enrolled in an Integrated Health Care System.

BACKGROUND: Few studies have examined outcomes of high-resolution anoscopy (HRA)-based screening for people with HIV infection (PWH), a population at increased risk for anal cancer. SETTING: Large integrated health care system. METHODS: Cohort study of 13,552 people with HIV infection, comparing incidences of anal cancer and advanced anal cancer (higher stage, recurrence, death, or surgical salvage) before and after HRA became available (2008). Calendar time was divided as 1998-2007, 2008-2010, and 2011-2012. Rate ratios (RRs) were obtained from Poisson regression models with adjustment for baseline demographic and health variables. Cohort cases during 2008-2012 were included in a nested case-control study, evaluating association of screening with anal cancer (33 cases, 330 controls) and advanced anal cancer (19 cases, 190 controls). Odds ratios (ORs) for receipt of screening were obtained from conditional logistic regression models with adjustment for baseline demographic and health history variables. RESULTS: Compared with 1998-2007 (pre-HRA), 2008-2010 adjusted RRs were 1.32 [95% confidence intervals (CI): 0.77 to 2.27; P = 0.31] for anal cancer and 2.11 (95% CI: 0.99 to 4.48; P = 0.053) for advanced anal cancer; and 2011-2012 adjusted RRs were 0.35 (95% CI: 0.12 to 0.99; P = 0.048) for anal cancer and 0.23 (95% CI: 0.03 to 1.77; P = 0.16) for advanced anal cancer. Individual history of screening did not reach statistical significance for anal cancer (OR 1.7; 0.6-4.6) or advanced anal cancer (OR 0.44; 0.1-3.8). CONCLUSIONS: Despite the possible effect of secular trends, we found 2008-2012 incidence trends for anal cancer and advanced anal cancer that seem consistent with expected findings of a beneficial screening program.