So far, the vaccine has been approved for use in the United States for girls and young women, as well as boys and young men to prevent genital warts, and in girls and young women to prevent cervical cancer. Now, according to this news report, Gardasil: Wider Use Sought for Vaccine, it may have even more indications.

The article says that two studies, sponsored by the manufacturer of Gardasil, have been done. The results showed that not only was Gardasil about 89% in preventing HPV infections, genital warts and cervical cancer, it also seemed to be about 77% effective in preventing precancerous lesions and anal cancer in gay men.

Anal cancer was brought into the open when actress Farrah Fawcett was diagnosed with it in 2006. She died last year, on the same day as Michael Jackson, June 25, 2009.

Incidence

Anal cancer is not a common type, although colon cancer is. According to the National Cancer Institute, each year about 5,000 people are diagnosed with the disease. For some reason, the incidence is rising.

Signs and symptoms

Although anal cancer is generally caught early, some people don’t have any symptoms and their cancer is caught through routine exams. Symptoms that can occur include:

• Bleeding from the anus or rectum
• Pain in the anal area
• A mass or growth in the anal canal
• Anal itching

Risk factors

Although anyone can develop anal cancer, there are several factors that can increase the risk of developing it. These include:

• Participating in anal sex
• Having multiple sex partners
• Being infected with HPV
• Older age
• Smoking
• Long-term use of medications that suppress the immune system

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Image: Zumapress.com

Post from: EveryJoe