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Briggs ES, Thomas RM, Frost MC, Fletcher OV, Crothers K, Chalal CK, Shahrir SF, McClure JB, Catz SL, Williams EC. "I Thought Cancer was a Tobacco Issue": Perspectives of Veterans with and without HIV on Cancer and Other Health Risks Associated with Alcohol and Tobacco/Nicotine Use. AIDS Behav 2024; 28:2607-2618. [PMID: 38869757 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-024-04363-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024]
Abstract
U.S. Veterans and people living with HIV (PWH) experience higher rates of unhealthy alcohol and tobacco/nicotine use than non-Veterans and people without HIV (PWoH). Both groups are susceptible to adverse health outcomes associated with alcohol and tobacco/nicotine use. We explored awareness of alcohol- and tobacco/nicotine-related cancer and immune health risks among Veterans Health Administration (VA) patients with and without HIV. Among a sample of 41 (46% PWH; 73% male; 39% Black) purposively-selected VA patients receiving care 2020-2021 we conducted semi-structured interviews via telephone; interviews were recorded, transcribed and analyzed using a Rapid Assessment Process. Purposive selection was based on HIV status, alcohol and/or tobacco/nicotine use, and demographics. Among participants, 66% reported current smoking, and most screened positive for unhealthy alcohol use. Participants had high awareness of cancer and other health risks related to smoking but low awareness of synergistic risks and cancer risks associated with alcohol use despite awareness of a range of other alcohol-related risks. Awareness of alcohol and/or tobacco/nicotine's impacts on the immune system was variable. Findings did not distinctly differ between PWH and PWoH. Low awareness of alcohol-related cancer risk, risks of co-occurring use, and varying awareness of the impacts of alcohol and tobacco/nicotine on the immune system suggest a need for improved messaging regarding substance use-related cancer and immune risk. This may be especially important among PWH, for whom the prevalence and adverse effects of alcohol and tobacco use, and immune dysfunction are higher.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elsa S Briggs
- Health Services Research & Development Center of Innovation for Veteran-Centered and Value-Driven Care, Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, 3980 15th Ave NE, Seattle, WA, 98105, USA.
- Department of Health Systems and Population Health, University of Washington School of Public Health, Seattle, WA, USA.
| | - Rachel M Thomas
- Health Services Research & Development Center of Innovation for Veteran-Centered and Value-Driven Care, Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, 3980 15th Ave NE, Seattle, WA, 98105, USA
| | - Madeline C Frost
- Health Services Research & Development Center of Innovation for Veteran-Centered and Value-Driven Care, Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, 3980 15th Ave NE, Seattle, WA, 98105, USA
- Department of Health Systems and Population Health, University of Washington School of Public Health, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Olivia V Fletcher
- Health Services Research & Development Center of Innovation for Veteran-Centered and Value-Driven Care, Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, 3980 15th Ave NE, Seattle, WA, 98105, USA
| | - Kristina Crothers
- Health Services Research & Development Center of Innovation for Veteran-Centered and Value-Driven Care, Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, 3980 15th Ave NE, Seattle, WA, 98105, USA
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Clementine K Chalal
- Health Services Research & Development Center of Innovation for Veteran-Centered and Value-Driven Care, Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, 3980 15th Ave NE, Seattle, WA, 98105, USA
| | - Shahida F Shahrir
- Health Services Research & Development Center of Innovation for Veteran-Centered and Value-Driven Care, Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, 3980 15th Ave NE, Seattle, WA, 98105, USA
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
- Center for Health Workforce Studies, Department of Family Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Jennifer B McClure
- Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute, Seattle, WA, USA
- Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Sheryl L Catz
- Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Emily C Williams
- Health Services Research & Development Center of Innovation for Veteran-Centered and Value-Driven Care, Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, 3980 15th Ave NE, Seattle, WA, 98105, USA
- Department of Health Systems and Population Health, University of Washington School of Public Health, Seattle, WA, USA
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Fein LA, Cunha IR, Wong A, Schlumbrecht MP, Duthely LM, Potter JE. Low Perceived Anal Cancer Risk and Screening Utilization Among High-Risk Transgender Men and Women Living in an HIV / STI Epicenter. AIDS Behav 2021; 25:2210-2218. [PMID: 33394166 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-020-03149-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/23/2020] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Although risk behaviors could place transgender people at increased risk of anal cancer, few studies have examined anal cancer knowledge and screening use among this population. This study assessed knowledge of anal cancer and associated screening tools, self-perceived risk for anal cancer, and willingness to undergo anal cytology testing among transgender persons in an HIV/sexually transmitted infection (STI)-dense region. Adult transgender persons were recruited locally and surveyed electronically. Descriptive statistics, student's t tests, ANOVA, and Pearson's chi-squared test were performed. Among 79 transgender persons, identified anal cancer risk factors included smoking, STI history, anoreceptive intercourse, and inconsistent condom use. Nearly half (43%) reported little to no knowledge of anal cancer. The vast majority (82%) had little to no perceived risk of developing anal cancer. Twenty-eight percent had heard of anal cytology, and few (17%) had undergone it. Despite susceptibility, transgender persons lack knowledge and have a low perception of personal risk of anal cancer, highlighting the need to increase awareness of anal cancer, risk factors, and screening methods among this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lydia A Fein
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, 1611 NW 12th Avenue, Holtz East Tower #4070, Miami, FL, 33136, USA.
| | - Isabella Rosa Cunha
- Department of Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Adriana Wong
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, 1611 NW 12th Avenue, Holtz East Tower #4070, Miami, FL, 33136, USA
| | - Matthew P Schlumbrecht
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Lunthita M Duthely
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, 1611 NW 12th Avenue, Holtz East Tower #4070, Miami, FL, 33136, USA
| | - JoNell E Potter
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, 1611 NW 12th Avenue, Holtz East Tower #4070, Miami, FL, 33136, USA
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