TY - JOUR
T1 - Improving Anal Cancer Screening Messages Through Interviews From Men Who Have Sex With Men
AU - Thomas, Isabel
AU - Clark, Travis
AU - Wilkerson, J. Michael
AU - Flores, Rey A.
AU - Travis, Andrew
AU - Almirol, Ellen
AU - Washington, De Juan
AU - Weaver, Lou
AU - Liebert, Cameron
AU - Chiao, Elizabeth
AU - Hazra, Aniruddha
AU - Nyitray, Alan
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© The Author(s) 2026. This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/) which permits non-commercial use, reproduction and distribution of the work without further permission provided the original work is attributed as specified on the SAGE and Open Access pages (https://us.sagepub.com/en-us/nam/open-access-at-sage).
PY - 2026
Y1 - 2026
N2 - Anal cancer disproportionately affects men who have sex with men, particularly those living with HIV, yet screening rates remain low. This mixed-methods study examined the acceptability of anal self-exams and companion exams as supplemental screening tools among 131 participants in Chicago, IL, and Houston, TX. Data were collected through surveys and interviews and analyzed using thematic and descriptive methods. Findings indicate strong support for normalizing self and companion exams, with participants emphasizing the importance of culturally tailored messaging, diverse representation, and visuals that reduce stigma and simplify information. Trusted community sources were preferred over unfamiliar or commercial entities. Participants responded positively to messaging that framed screening in a hopeful and empowering manner, highlighting the value of approachable, relatable communication. Despite limitations in generalizability, these results provide actionable guidance for designing interventions that increase awareness, address barriers, and promote anal cancer screening among high-risk populations. Integrating culturally relevant, trusted, and visually engaging messaging into public health initiatives may enhance the effectiveness of anal cancer prevention strategies.
AB - Anal cancer disproportionately affects men who have sex with men, particularly those living with HIV, yet screening rates remain low. This mixed-methods study examined the acceptability of anal self-exams and companion exams as supplemental screening tools among 131 participants in Chicago, IL, and Houston, TX. Data were collected through surveys and interviews and analyzed using thematic and descriptive methods. Findings indicate strong support for normalizing self and companion exams, with participants emphasizing the importance of culturally tailored messaging, diverse representation, and visuals that reduce stigma and simplify information. Trusted community sources were preferred over unfamiliar or commercial entities. Participants responded positively to messaging that framed screening in a hopeful and empowering manner, highlighting the value of approachable, relatable communication. Despite limitations in generalizability, these results provide actionable guidance for designing interventions that increase awareness, address barriers, and promote anal cancer screening among high-risk populations. Integrating culturally relevant, trusted, and visually engaging messaging into public health initiatives may enhance the effectiveness of anal cancer prevention strategies.
KW - anal cancer
KW - anal self-examination
KW - health communication
KW - men who have sex with men
KW - partner-assisted exams
KW - screening
UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105042160245
UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105042160245#tab=citedBy
U2 - 10.1177/10901981261456322
DO - 10.1177/10901981261456322
M3 - Article
C2 - 42290537
AN - SCOPUS:105042160245
SN - 1090-1981
JO - Health Education and Behavior
JF - Health Education and Behavior
M1 - 10901981261456322
ER -