Moskowitz David A, Rahman Musarrat, Li Dennis H
Department of Medical Social Sciences, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 633 N. St. Clair St., Chicago, IL, 60611, USA.
Institute for Sexual and Gender Minority Health and Wellbeing (ISGMH), Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 625 N. Michigan Avenue, Suite 1400, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA.
Cancer Causes Control. 2019 Jun;30(6):559-568. doi: 10.1007/s10552-019-01175-1. Epub 2019 Apr 29.
Anal cancer is the second most common human-papillomavirus-related cancer in women, with women also at an elevated risk of incidence relative to men. Anal self-examination (ASE) is an efficient way for women to screen between provider visits for potential anal masses. While studied in male populations, no research has explored women's awareness of the self-test.
In response, 345 women recruited from online advertisements and listservs were surveyed to assess their experiences using health care, history of Pap smears, knowledge of anal cancer, awareness and attitudes surrounding ASEs, and potential educational modalities to promote ASE enactment.
Results indicated the sample failed two key anal cancer knowledge tests (receiving a 68%/100% for risk factors and 61%/100% for signs/symptoms), and only 2.3% of participants had ever heard of ASEs before the survey. Most thought ASEs would be somewhat helpful as a screening tool, but little interest was shown towards future performance. Analyses revealed this disinterest was due to lack of knowledge, perceived discomfort with performing ASEs, and perceived irrelevance of ASEs.
Future interventions should push for a stronger role of providers (e.g., gynecologists) in anal health, education, and screening. Additionally, campaigns should be crafted to promote the ASE as an easy, at-home screening tool that could trigger an early warning for anal disease.
肛门癌是女性中第二常见的与人乳头瘤病毒相关的癌症，女性的发病率也高于男性。肛门自我检查（ASE）是女性在两次就诊期间筛查潜在肛门肿物的有效方法。虽然在男性人群中进行过研究，但尚无研究探讨女性对这种自我检测的认知情况。
作为回应，对通过网络广告和邮件列表招募的345名女性进行了调查，以评估她们使用医疗保健服务的经历、巴氏涂片检查史、肛门癌知识、对ASE的认知和态度，以及促进实施ASE的潜在教育方式。
结果表明，该样本在两项关键的肛门癌知识测试中表现不佳（危险因素测试得分为68%/100%，体征/症状测试得分为61%/100%），并且在调查前只有2.3%的参与者听说过ASE。大多数人认为ASE作为一种筛查工具会有些帮助，但对未来进行ASE的兴趣不大。分析显示，这种缺乏兴趣是由于知识不足、对进行ASE感到不适以及认为ASE无关紧要。
未来的干预措施应促使医疗服务提供者（如妇科医生）在肛门健康、教育和筛查方面发挥更重要的作用。此外，应开展宣传活动，将ASE推广为一种简单的居家筛查工具，能够对肛门疾病发出早期预警。
