Why Gay And Bisexual Men Need To Talk About HPV And Anal Cancer Right Now
A new health campaign in Manchester is pushing a conversation that many of us find uncomfortable but few can afford to skip. It centres on anal cancer, human papillomavirus (HPV), and what men living with HIV should know.
A new campaign out of Manchester
In January 2026, the Cheshire and Merseyside Cancer Alliance (CMCA) partnered with George House Trust, a leading HIV charity, to launch an awareness campaign for men living with HIV who have sex with men. The campaign includes social media content and posters displayed in Axess sexual health clinics across the Cheshire and Merseyside region.
Dr. Paul Hine, an HIV specialist in Liverpool, wrote a detailed blog as part of the initiative. His message is straightforward. Anal cancer is rare. But the risk is real, and catching it early matters.
Darren Knight, Chief Executive of George House Trust, said: “It’s so important that we’re raising awareness and getting people talking about anal cancer.”
Jon Hayes, Managing Director of the CMCA, added that the campaign aims to give people “the knowledge to act when they first notice something that is not right for them.”
What does the research say?
Anal cancer is uncommon in the general population. But for people living with HIV, the risk is roughly 19 times higher. For men who have sex with men and are also living with HIV, that figure increases by an additional three times. Over 90 per cent of anal cancer cases are caused by high-risk strains of HPV, a virus spread through intimate skin-to-skin contact.
Three recent studies from Belgium, Taiwan and Chad have added weight to the growing body of research on HPV in gay and bisexual men. The Taiwanese study, published in January 2026, examined the effects of the nine-valent HPV vaccine (known as Gardasil 9) on men who have sex with men living with HIV.
The Belgian study, from the LIMIT (Lubricant Investigation in Men to Inhibit Transmission of HPV Infection) trial, found that HPV vaccination reduced new infections of vaccine-targeted HPV types.
Data from the French IPERGAY study, which focused on HIV-negative men using pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), found HPV in more than 90 per cent of anal samples at baseline. That is a striking figure and a strong case for vaccination alongside PrEP care.
How can you lower your risk?
HPV vaccination remains one of the most effective ways to reduce your risk. In the United Kingdom, men who have sex with men aged up to 45 can access the vaccine through sexual health services. The vaccine does not treat existing HPV infections, but it does protect against strains you have not yet encountered.
Symptoms worth noting include bleeding from the anus, new lumps or bumps, and persistent pain or itching. If something feels off, speak with your doctor or sexual health clinic. Early detection improves outcomes significantly.
