Research investigates screening for anal cancer

News release from the National Coordinating Centre for Health Technology Assessment

12 June 2006

At the start of National Men's Health Week (13 - 19 June) research funded by the NIHR Health Technology Assessment (HTA) programme is evaluating the pros and cons of screening high risk groups for anal cancer.

The disease carries only a 50% survival rate at five years and research about anal cancer is limited. The UK National Screening Committee (NSC) reviewed the evidence against its criteria in 2003 and concluded that the current evidence did not support either population screening or screening for specific sub-groups, such as gay men and men and women with HIV/AIDS.

The research team, led by Carolyn Czoski Murray from the School of Health & Related Research, University of Sheffield , are assessing the clinical and cost-effectiveness of an anal cancer screening programme for such high risk groups, reviewing and analysing existing research evidence. They are looking into factors such as the normal progression of the condition if it's not treated, the effectiveness of different treatment options (how much better is early treatment than late treatment), how effective the available screening option (liquid based cytology) is at detecting anal cancer at an earlier stage, and the acceptability of screening tests. Researchers will also seek input from experts in the field of genitourinary medicine, HIV/AIDS, gynaecology and surgery.

The current position of the NSC is not to offer screening, but the results of this research, due in 2007, will inform a review of this position.

For updates on this project apply for email alerts at www.hta.ac.uk/project/1489.asp or to find out about other HTA projects in the area of men's health visit the HTA website search pages at http://www.hta.ac.uk/ProjectData/1_project_select.asp

For more information on Men's Health Week visit http://www.menshealthforum.org.uk

Notes:

  1. Anal cancer affects approximately 500 people a year. Incidence was 1/100,000 men and 1.5/100,000 women in England in 1999.

Notes for editors


  1. The HTA programme is a programme of the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) and produces high quality research information about the effectiveness, costs, and broader impact of health technologies for those who use, manage and provide care in the NHS. It is the largest of the NIHR programmes and publishes the results of its research in the Health Technology Assessment journal, with more than 400 issues published to date. The journal’s 2007 Impact Factor (3.87) ranked it in the top 10% of medical and health-related journals. All issues are available for download free of charge from the website, www.hta.ac.uk The HTA programme is coordinated by the National Coordinating Centre for Health Technology Assessment (NCCHTA), based at the University of Southampton.
  2. The National Institute for Health Research provides the framework through which the research staff and research infrastructure of the NHS in England is positioned, maintained and managed as a national research facility.  The NIHR provides the NHS with the support and infrastructure it needs to conduct first-class research funded by the Government and its partners alongside high-quality patient care, education and training.  Its aim is to support outstanding individuals (both leaders and collaborators), working in world class facilities (both NHS and university), conducting leading edge research focused on the needs of patients. www.nihr.ac.uk

Contact details

Naomi Stockley, Programme Manager (Communications)
Telephone: 02380 595 646, Email: ns5@soton.ac.uk

Helen Nikandrou, Assistant Programme Manager (Communications)
Telephone: 02380 595 584, Email: h.nikandrou@soton.ac.uk

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