Monthly Archive: April 2015

Gay Guys need to know about Anal Cancer; Get immunized for Anal Cancer

Gay men need to be concerned about anal cancer

Cervical cancer in women is caused by a wart virus called human papilloma virus (HPV). A man’s penis transmits the virus to the cervix, which the virus can sit there, dormant, for years, and may cause cancer and could kill the woman.

Gay men also have to worry about the same wart virus and cancer. While gay men do not have a cervix, a man can still pass HPV when a guys cock or even a finger comes into contact with your anus. You don’t have to have big, ugly, painful warts to have the virus or get cancer.

Most gay men do not know enough or even feel comfortable talking about anal cancer, the symptoms, the cause, or even the treatment. The Bottom Line, a new Australian website, has done a great job at covering the topic.

It’s important to know that HPV is spread for skin-to-skin contact. A guy can touch his cock and then put his finger on your ass, exposing you to the virus. Many physicians say almost 100% of HIV positive men have HPV in their anus.

HPV can lay dormant in the body for years, without any side effects or issues; however, it can still slowly, over time, cause cancer. It’s best to speak with your doctor or a nurse that specialises in STIs, to check your anus. It’s not always as easy to see the small changer in pre-cancer growths.

Gay men need to be concerned about anal cancer

Men should also conduct their own self-exam, looking for small bumps and inflamed areas just inside the anal canal. You can also do this with a partner who, over time, would be aware of changes in your anus. After all, your partner can look at your anus better than you can! You only need to explore 3-4 centimeters, but you can always explore more, just for fun.

HPV is a terrible cancer to get, and you do not want to die from anal cancer. The good news is that you can get vaccinated. The vaccine has almost no side effects and new studies have shown even if you have been exposed to the virus that the vaccine may be helpful in fighting the virus.

Most people can get the vaccine covered through their health insurance. Some government assistance programs also cover the cost. There are also some gay men health clinics that offer the vaccine free of charge. If you cannot access one of these free resources, then you can try your local pharmacy where you can get it for about $450 CDN.

– See more at: http://www.thehomoculture.com/author/billcoleman/#sthash.izn6gr3H.fdaDSKhW.dpuf

You could be immune to HIV and not even know it!

Published in Homoculture.ca

 

You could be immune to HIV and not even know it!

 

Posted on April 13, 2015 by Bill Coleman, PhD | Sexual Health | 1 Comment
If you have the CCR5 gene you could be immune to HIV.

 

If you have the CCR5 gene you could be immune to HIV

Many northern Europeans and their decedents are immune to HIV. Up to 13% of people from Northern Europe are immune to HIV, and up to 10% of the population of the United States and Canada are partially immune. The gene is called CCR5, and it inhibits HIV from infecting a person.

If you have the CCR5 gene from both parents, you would be considered immune to HIV. If one of your parents has passed the gene to you, then you would be partially immune, reducing your changes by about 70%.

Being partially immune means that you do not have as many receptors to allow the HIV virus to enter your body, greatly reducing your risk. Should someone who is partially immune become infected, they would be considered a ‘slow progressor’, meaning they would not get sick from HIV for many years.

For someone who is already HIV positive, they may find knowing they are partially immune and would be less likely to experience difficulties as a result of having HIV. Some HIV positive people who are partially immune have worked with their physician to reduce their HIV medication and maintain an undetectable viral load count.

How to get tested for HIV immunity

www.delta-32.com is a website that provides the test kit (a cotton swab), that you move around in your cheek and mail back to the company. They will then conduct a series of tests and send back the results. The cost is $199 CDN in Canada and $199 USD in the United States.

Why get tested?

Some people may change their sexual behaviours and activities if they knew they were immune to HIV. Some people will worry less about sex and HIV if they know they are immune or partially immune. You have to decide if you wish to know if you are immune to HIV, and if it would be helpful for you.

The FDA has recently approved the use of inserting the CCR5 genes into HIV positive patients to explore a cure for HIV.

Nothing is 100%. In 2002 it was found there were rare cases of ‘immune’ persons who seroconverted and became HIV positive. The chances of becoming HIV positive if you are immune to HIV are extremely low but are not impossible.

Find out if you are Immune to HIV; Here is How – up to 13% of some Groups of People Are Immune, are You?

You could be immune to HIV and not even know it!

If you have the CCR5 gene you could be immune to HIV

Many northern Europeans and their decedents are immune to HIV. Up to 13% of people from Northern Europe are immune to HIV, and up to 10% of the population of the United States and Canada are partially immune. The gene is called CCR5, and it inhibits HIV from infecting a person.

If you have the CCR5 gene from both parents, you would be considered immune to HIV. If one of your parents has passed the gene to you, then you would be partially immune, reducing your changes by about 70%.

Being partially immune means that you do not have as many receptors to allow the HIV virus to enter your body, greatly reducing your risk. Should someone who is partially immune become infected, they would be considered a ‘slow progressor’, meaning they would not get sick from HIV for many years.

For someone who is already HIV positive, they may find knowing they are partially immune and would be less likely to experience difficulties as a result of having HIV. Some HIV positive people who are partially immune have worked with their physician to reduce their HIV medication and maintain an undetectable viral load count.

How to get tested for HIV immunity

www.delta-32.com is a website that provides the test kit (a cotton swab), that you move around in your cheek and mail back to the company. They will then conduct a series of tests and send back the results. The cost is $199 CDN in Canada and $199 USD in the United States.

Why get tested?

Some people may change their sexual behaviours and activities if they knew they were immune to HIV. Some people will worry less about sex and HIV if they know they are immune or partially immune. You have to decide if you wish to know if you are immune to HIV, and if it would be helpful for you.

The FDA has recently approved the use of inserting the CCR5 genes into HIV positive patients to explore a cure for HIV.

Nothing is 100%. In 2002 it was found there were rare cases of ‘immune’ persons who seroconverted and became HIV positive. The chances of becoming HIV positive if you are immune to HIV are extremely low but are not impossible.

– See more at: http://www.thehomoculture.com/author/billcoleman/#sthash.izn6gr3H.fdaDSKhW.dpuf