The primary aim of the “Pathways to Anal Cancer Screening Study” is to analyze predictors of screening uptake for HPV-related anal cancer in sexual and gender minority populations in Minnesota. These populations are disproportionally impacted by anal cancer, but little is known about their experiences with screenings. The survey will recruit approximately 500 participants to learn about which providers first recommended screening, as well as the frequency and results of screening stratified by HIV status. This study will provide a snapshot of current practice and patients’ experiences with screening.

We will also partner with the Minnesota Department of Health to address a secondary aim: validating self-reported HPV vaccination status against a vaccination record. Validation is particularly important to prevent misclassification of vaccination status in future studies that may not have access to vaccination records.

The survey will launch this fall thanks to generous support from the HIV/STI Intervention and Prevention Studies Program.