Summary of Australian guidelines for anal cancer screening in people living with HIV

18 March 2025. Related: Guidelines.

ASHM

ASHM launches Australia’s first anal cancer screening guidelines for people living with HIV. 

The guidelines provide a critical framework around screening and treatment for healthcare providers.

All anal cancer screening should include annual digital ano-rectal examination (DARE), examination of the peri-anal region and a thorough medical history.

The history should:

• Include sexual behavioural history, as anal sexual activity may not have been previously disclosed.
• Identify other potential risk activities (such as smoking) and other factors that may contribute to immunosuppression (such as certain drugs)
• Identify other potential risk activities (such as smoking) and other factors that may contribute to immunosuppression (such as certain drugs)

Reference

Summary of Australian recommendations for anal cancer screening in PLHIV (January 2025)
analcancerscreening.guidelines.org.au/ (webpage)
analcancerscreening.guidelines.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Summary-page-Anal-Cancer-Testing-Tool-Summary.pdf (direct download)