What Are HPV 16 And 18? | Everyday Health

If you’re concerned about an anal HPV infection, you may find that there isn’t any consistent guidance about potential testing. Zanotti says that research doesn’t recommend screening for anal HPV at the moment.

“Research hasn’t shown that anal HPV screening is more sensitive than anal cytology. Some groups recommend anal cytology for high-risk individuals, but there isn’t a consensus,” cautions Zanotti. She identifies these high-risk groups as:

• People who have human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
• Men who have sex with men
• Women with a history of high-risk cervical, vulvar, or vaginal dysplasia or cancer
• Women with a history of cervical HPV 16 infection
• People with a history of anogenital warts

“These individuals have a higher risk of HPV causing harmful changes, which can lead to cancer,” Zanotti advises. Wells suggests that a woman with a compromised immune system, either due to HIV, lupus, an organ transplant, or another condition, may not clear the virus as efficiently as those with more effective immune systems.

Wells notes that another group has seen an increase in anal cancer.

“Right now, we’re seeing a small but noticeable increase in anal cancer cases among certain groups — specifically, older white women who are not living with HIV,” she outlines. “Traditionally, the group most significantly impacted by anal cancer has been people living with HIV. But this emerging trend in HIV-negative individuals is something we’re keeping an eye on.”

“That said, we’re still not at the point where anal cancer screening is recommended for all women as part of routine cervical cancer screening,” Wells maintains. “There are still some women who may benefit from anal cancer screening.”

If a doctor identifies that you’re in a high-risk group, they may refer you to someone who performs the following tests:

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• Anal cytology testing with HPV co-testing: Similar to the cervical Pap test, this involves collecting cells from the anus using a thin brush or cotton swab. These results can identify unusual cells, but they don’t provide much useful information on their own.

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• High-resolution anoscopy: This procedure uses a microscope to examine physical changes in the anus more closely once a doctor has identified abnormal cells. The health practitioner might also use cell samples for a biopsy to diagnose any cell changes and plan treatment if necessary.
• Digital anorectal examination: A doctor may insert a gloved, lubricated finger into the anus to feel for abnormal lumps or other signs of cancer.

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Wells emphasizes the importance of self-advocacy around anal HPV using a real-life example. “I have a colleague, Lillian Kreppel, who’s an anal cancer survivor.

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She’s part of an advocacy group called the HPV Cancers Alliance and shares her story about how her symptoms were initially brushed off by her gynecologist only to later find out it was HPV-related anal cancer,” she says. “Lillian’s now a strong voice for empowering women to speak up when something doesn’t feel right, whether it’s unusual bleeding, persistent pain, or other symptoms that warrant a closer look.”

So in short, while anal Pap tests aren’t recommended for the general population at this time, individuals with certain risk factors might benefit from including that screening alongside their cervical Pap tests.