Screening anal cancer in women living with HIV/AIDS

Abstract

Aim Addressing the main methodologies published in the scientific literature and used to screen anal cancer in women living with HIV/AIDS. Methodology The current study is an integrative literature review applied to articles published between 2013 and 2017 in databases such as PUBMED, EBSCO and LILACS. Results Eight studies were selected to compose the current review after the inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied. All the articles had evidence level IV. Anal cytology and the DNA-HPV test were the methodologies prevailing in the studies. The number of participants in the studies ranged from 35 to 863, and all the studies involved women living with HIV/AIDS. The aim of most of the herein reviewed studies was to assess the prevalence of anal cytologic changes or HPV infection in women living with HIV/AIDS (WLHA). Conclusion Studies have pointed out that there is concern about high anal cancer and anal HPV infection rates. They also highlighted the importance of the screening procedure for anal cancer prevention through cytology associated, or not, with molecular HPV detection methods.