NAPWA

Research conducted by the Kirby Institute at UNSW (formerly the National Centre in HIv epidemiologyThe branch of medical science that deals with the study of incidence and distribution and control of a disease in a population. and ClinicalPertaining to or founded on observation and treatment of participants, as distinguished from theoretical or basic science. Research) has shown that the annual incidence of anal cancer in Australia has increased by almost 50% in the last 20 years. read more »

People with untreated HIV can be at higher risk of a wide range of infection-related cancer types. The ageing of the population with HIV means that even in treated patients, cancer may soon become one of the leading causes of morbidity (illness) and mortality (death) in people with HIV. read more »

A course of topical trichloroacetic acid appears to provide a safe and effective treatment for anal intraepithelial neoplasia (AIN) – the name given to pre-cancerous cell changes in the anus, US investigators report.

Higher rates of anal cancer are seen in gay men, especially those with HIV. The treatment, however, proved just as effective on both positive and negative men. read more »

Maintaining a CD4 cell count above 500 helps protect you from a range of AIDS-defining and non-AIDS-defining cancers, French investigators report.

Researchers followed over 50,000 positive people between 1998 and 2006 and found that the seven* most common cancers were found least in those whose counts stayed consistently above 500. read more »

Cervical cancer is preventable and if diagnosed early, curable. Abnormalities in cervical cells and cervical cancer affect many women regardless of HIV status. They are more common in women with HIV, and HIV related immune suppression appears to make cancers more invasive and more likely to recur after treatment.
Early detection and treatment is the key. read more »

HIV is a sneaky bugger. As soon as we think we’ve got it cornered, other complications emerge. Now, it transpires that even on successful treatment we’re still more susceptible to particular cancers. PETER WATTS investigates. read more »

Unlike many diseases that have disappeared with the advent of HAARTHighly Active AntiRetroviralA medication or other substance which is active against retroviruses such as HIV. Therapy ??? aggressive treatment of HIV infection using several different drugs together., anal cancer has not, with rates in HIV-positive gay men now sitting at 1 in 1000, which is greater than rates of cervical cancer. read more »

A major scientific conference on HIV has wound up with promising news on treatments which could signal a significant improvement in HIV treatment for the first time in some years. read more »

The annual conference of the Australasian Society for HIV Medicine (ASHMAustralasian Society for HIV Medicine. The peak Australasian organisation representing the medical and health sector in HIV/AIDS and related areas. ) was held in Hobart, Tasmania, from 24-27 August. read more »