Abstract 2435: Knowledge and attitudes towards anal cancer and anal cancer screening among hispanic women at increased risk of anal cancer

• Published in: Cancer research (Chicago, Ill.) Ill.), 2019-07, Vol.79 (13_Supplement), p.2435-2435
• Main Authors: Ortiz-Martinez, Ana P., Camacho, Sandra García, Cartagena, Jeslie M. Ramos, Ardilla, Claudia Amaya, López, Vivian Colón, Romaguera, Josefina
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0008-5472; 1538-7445
• DOI: 10.1158/1538-7445.AM2019-2435

Objective: Research shows that women with HIV infection, lower genital tract neoplasia (LGTN), organ transplants, Chron’s disease and lupus have an increased risk of anal cancers and its precursor lesion, anal intraepithelial neoplasia (AIN). Thus, an expert review, including the American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology and the International Anal Neoplasia Society, recommends anal cytology screening for these women when referral to high-resolution anoscopy (HRA) and treatment is available. Although Puerto Rico has a specialized anal neoplasia clinic since 2014, little is known about anal cancer knowledge and attitudes in women at risk for this malignancy in this population. Thus, this study aims to describe knowledge and attitudes towards anal cancer and anal cancer screening among Hispanic women at increased risk of anal cancer and AIN in Puerto Rico. Methods: Ongoing clinic-based cross-sectional study (May-November 2018) among women receiving services at the colposcopy, gynecology oncology and lower genital tract clinics of the University of Puerto Rico. All women with gynecological neoplasia within the clinic complete an interviewer administered questionnaire and the medical record is reviewed for LGTN diagnosis. From 235 study participants (response rate=67.5%), 83 (35.3%) had a diagnosis of LGTN, HIV, lupus, Chron’s disease, or were transplant patients, and thus were considered at increased risk for anal cancer and AIN, and included in this analysis. Results: 71.8% of women have cervical, 8.4% vulvar, and 9.6% vaginal LGTN. Meanwhile, 10.1% have HIV, 3.6%, are transplant patients, 8.4% have lupus and 2.8% Crohn’s disease. Mean age is 54.9 years (SD=1.73) and 57.8% have an annual income