Squamous cell cancer of the anus incidence has been increasing over the past several decades, among women and men. Historically women have had a higher incidence of anal cancer than men, and recent studies have shown that the incidence rate for cancers of the anus, anal canal and anorectum in all ages and races of women has more than doubled.
This talk will summarize recent data on the epidemiology of anal human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, anal dysplasia and anal cancer among women, focusing on studies evaluating the epidemiology of these conditions among immunosuppressed women (including HIV positive women) and women with a history of HPV-related pathology of the lower genital tract. Studies that evaluate the rates of HR -HPV infection, most common types of HR-HPV infection, anal dysplasia by cytology, high-grade anal intraepithelial lesions (AIN 2+) on biopsy, and anal cancer rates of women who have different risk factors for anal HPV infection will be discussed. Studies evaluating the incidence and clearance of anal HPV infection, and the risk factors for anal HPV infection anal dysplasia and anal cancer among women, focusing particularly on the association between cervical and anal HPV type concordance, will also be described.
Women who are immunosuppressed (either because of HIV infection or from iatrogenic immunosuppresion), and women with other gential HPV infection have higher rates of anal HPV infection, dysplasia and cancer, ongoing and future research priorities regarding ano-genial cancer prevention and anal cancer screening among women will be highlighted.