*EMBARGOED All research presented at the 2020 ACG Annual Scientific Meeting and Postgraduate Course is strictly embargoed until Monday, October 26, 2020, at 8:00 am EDT.


Anas Raed, MD
Anas Raed, MD

P0399 Anal Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Growing Threat to Women’s Health and Call for Action

Author Insight from Anas Raed, MD, Augusta University Medical Center

What’s new here and important for clinicians?

  • Anal cancer (AC) is an uncommon condition.
  • Recent data showed that there is an increased incidence of this condition.
  • Our data shows that incidence rates of AC have been trending up in age group 50 years or older, but not in the less than 50 year age group.
  • While individuals 50 years or older have an increased incidence of squamous cell carcinoma, whereas adenocarcinoma demonstrated a decreased incidence. Both genders were at risk for this cancer, but females are at a higher risk than the males.
  • With regards to the race, both Caucasians and African-Americans are at risk, but Caucasians showed a higher risk than the African-Americans.
  • We stress that we need to adopt a stringent preventive, screening & surveillance strategies. This is critical to reverse these concerning trends and hopefully diminish the disparities in this preventable disease.

    What do patients need to know?

  • People need to know that AC is a preventable disease.
  • Our research shows that AC incidence is increasing in the Unites States population and especially among population 50 years or older.
  • Public should be made aware that both genders are at higher risk for this cancer, but females are more so than the males.
  • Patients ought to be educated that both Caucasians and African-Americans are at higher risk, but Caucasians are more so than the African-Americans.
  • Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination is the key to eradicate this cancer. It is alarming to know that more than 50% of US adults are not vaccinated against HPV. Therefore, it is imperative that patients should be educated and encouraged to discuss HPV vaccination with their primary care physicians.

    Read the Abstract

    Author Contact
    Anas Raed, MD, Augusta University Medical Center
    araed [at] augusta [dot] edu


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