Event Details

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a group of over 200 viruses. High-risk HPV strains can lead to cancer, while low risk strains usually cause warts. High risk HPV strains can cause cancer in the anus, mouth, throat and penis, as well as the cervix, vagina and vulva in individuals assigned female at birth.  

Anal cancer risk is approximately 20- to 100-fold higher among individuals with immune compromising conditions, including people living with HIV, solid organ transplant recipients, and women with a history of cervical or vulvar dysplasia. 

This PHO Rounds will present on data from the ANCHOR study (2021), and highlight the new International Anal Neoplasia guidelines (2024), which recommend screening for anal precancer and early-stage cancer using a combination of anal cytology or HPV testing with a digital anal rectal exam (DARE).

Intended Audience: Public health clinicians, community-based service providers, health system decision makers, public health professionals working in STBBI.

By the end of this event, participants will be able to:

• Explain the clinical and epidemiological background of HPV infection and anal cancer.  
• Describe risk factors for anal cancer. 
• Consider implementation needs for anal cancer screening in their public health practice.
• Develop competencies to discuss HPV and anal cancer with patients and with medical professionals. 

Dr. Ann Burchell, Ph.D, is a Canada Research Chair in Sexually Transmitted Infection Prevention, a Scientist at the MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions, Unity Health Toronto, and a Professor at the Department of Family and Community Medicine at the University of Toronto. She uses epidemiological data to improve prevention and health care services for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and to minimize the complications of STI-associated diseases. STIs can result in compromised sexual/reproductive health, cancers, stigma, worsened quality of life, and mortality. Disadvantaged people are disproportionately affected and may face health access barriers that further concentrate STIs within high-risk networks and amplify transmission. Her vision is to end these complications and promote sexual health for all, with aims to inform effective and practical strategies to prevent STI and STI-related cancers in high-risk populations.  

Devan Nambiar, MSc. is the Sr. Lead, Knowledge Transfer Exchange and Science at the Gay Men’s Sexual Health Alliance (GMSH). His work draws on over 30 years of HIV activism, advocacy, and service, including developing and leading education/ training initiatives, resources, and research rooted in our communities’ needs to improve PLHIV, queer, and trans health. He currently serves as a Community Co-Lead on Cures & Immunotherapies at CIHR Canadian HIV/AIDS & STBBI Clinical Trials Network. He is involved in seven research studies as Co-Investigator, Collaborator, and Co-Chair in COVID-19 & PLHIV, Mpox research, HPV and anal cancer, doxycycline & STIs, and 2SLGBTQ Health Hub. 

The opinions expressed by speakers and moderators do not necessarily reflect the official policies or views of Public Health Ontario, nor does the mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by Public Health Ontario.

Public Health Ontario Rounds are a self-approved group learning activity (Section 1) as defined by the Maintenance of Certification Program of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC).

Other colleges, including the College of Family Physicians of Canada, Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario and the Canadian Institute of Public Health Inspectors, may accept RCPSC accredited events on a per-hour basis. Please contact your relevant college should you have any questions.

In order to receive written documentation for Continuing Medical Education (CME) credits, please check "Yes" beside the question "Do you require CME credits?" on the registration form.

For more information or for a record of registration for other Continuing Education purposes, please contact capacitybuilding@oahpp.ca.

Public Health Ontario is committed to complying with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). If you require accommodations to participate in this event, please contact 647-260-7100 or capacitybuilding@oahpp.ca.