Anal Squamous Intraepithelial Lesions and Anal Cancer Management in Low Resource Settings

Abstract

A low resource setting (LRS) is defined as a health care system which does not meet the criteria defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) or other national/international organizations in the following areas: infrastructure, materials, and human resources.1 Patients encounter barriers which limit their access to care and services that are considered standard of care. While LRS is most commonly associated with developing countries, it is easy to overlook communities in developed countries which lack the financial resources to afford basic health care. This article describes the societal implications and barriers to care for both squamous intraepithelial lesions (SILs) and anal cancer in LRS, the existing screening/surveillance approaches, available treatment approaches to anal cancer, and it also discusses potential evidence-based approaches to bridge the gap for these disparities in anal cancer care.

Brief Report: Prevalence and Predictors of Concern About Anal Cancer Among Sexual and Gender Minorites Living With HIV in Abuja, Nigeria

“…There is increasing international evidence that younger people are more likely to use social media for healthrelated information, 38 which can affect health in positive and negative ways. 39,40 Although the general knowledge and awareness of anal cancer may be low in SSA, 9,18,41 increasing age may also be associated with an underestimation of risk of anal cancer. 42 This could be partially explained by age-related differences in worry-related processes that are theorized to be reduced in later adulthood.…”