compiled by Martin Flynn
SMOKERS AT HIGHERRISK
OF CATCHING HIV
A
report published in the Journal of Sexually Transmitted Infections
found smoking tobacco increases vulnerability to infections, but did not appear
to speed progression of HIV to Aids.
Dr Andrew Furber, of Sheffield PCT, said the report suggests smokers are 60-300
per cent more likely to acquire HIV than non-smokers. This could be because
smokers are more likely to take risks generally, including having unsafe sex.
But Keith Alcorn of NAM pointed out the studies analysed were carried out
before widespread use of antiretroviral therapies.
“Anyone living with HIV would be strongly advised to stop smoking. It
increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and the much greater risk of
various smoking-related cancers for HIV positive people, whether on treatment
or not,” Alcorn added.
A separate study from Johns Hopkins School of Medicine found smokers with
HIV were 2.5 times more likely to get lung cancer than the general population
and they developed lung cancer at a younger age. However, both studies emphasised
the importance of quitting smoking for people with HIV.
DELAY HITS VULNERABLE
Despite
their current flu jab campaign, the Department of Health (DH) is
warning that some vaccine supplies may not arrive till December.
High risk groups, including people living with HIV, will be prioritised until
the full 15.2 million doses ordered arrive with GPs, the DH said.
“We want doctors to use their vaccine wisely, and bring in patients
with clear risk factors first,” said David Salisbury, DH’s director
of immunisation. Dr Hamish Meldrum, chair of the BMA GPs’ committee,
warned that vulnerable groups could be put at risk by the delay.
“The risk period for flu outbreaks runs from November to March or even
April, so getting immunisated in the New Year will still help,” Dr Meldrum
said. There can be up to 20,000 cold-related deaths in the UK each winter.
People with HIV should ensure they are registered with a GP and specifically
ask for a flu jab as soon as they become available.
BOOST FOR BUM CHECKS
CAMPAIGN
Following
an article in Healthy Living News (PN125) advising men with HIV to
get their bums checked for pre-cancerous signs, readers have told PN the checks
are unavailable at clinics.
A reader from Lancashire wrote: “Despite having previously been diagnosed
with high-grade AIN, it is impossible to access anal pap smears at local GUM
clinics or my HIV clinic.”
A leading research doctor at St Mary’s Hospital, London, told PN that
regular check-ups were unavailable at many HIV clinics. He said that in his
experience the only UK specialist doing regular checks was Dr Paul Fox at
the Chelsea and Westminster and Ealing hospitals.
HIV activists are now pressing the British HIV Association (BHIVA) to make
regular bum checks a ‘Standard of Care’ at HIV units.
Edwin Bernard, editor of Aids Treatment Update and BHIVA guideline patient
representative, said their new guidelines on sexual and reproductive health
discussed the pros and cons of the tests.
“BHIVA recommend HIV clinics develop their own methods of managing suspected
AIN. It doesn’t come out and specifically advise that check-ups should
be routine at every HIV clinic,” Edwin added.
Simon Collins, of HIV i-Base, said HIV positive men, whether gay or straight,
had much higher risks of anal cancer.
“Many people show low-grade abnormalities, but may never progress to
more serious illness,” Simon explained, “They would not be treated
but should be monitored more frequently. For those diagnosed with more serious
abnormalities, the earlier the diagnosis, the better the response to treatment.”
A French study presented at the recent Toronto Aids Conference (www.aids2006.org,
Christophe Piketty, TUAB0305) concluded that incidence of anal cancers had
increased dramatically in the last 10 years among people on otherwise successful
antiretroviral therapies.
Former UKC vice chair Ian Kramer, who died of misdiagnosed colorectal cancer
this summer, campaigned for years on the issue.
Gay rights activist Peter Tatchell has also demanded regular check ups for
all gay men similar to female Pap smears that detect cervical cancers.
Recent French and US studies have shown dramatic increases in anal cancer
among positive men, and it is likely that UK rates have also shot up over
the last 10 years.
So our advice last month to have regular checks is timely and now other activists
around the country are joining the campaign.
• The BHIVA Guidelines are open to public consultation till 5 December:
www.bhiva.org
