What is the SPANC study?SPANC is the "Study of the Prevention of Anal Cancer". Why anal cancer? There are more than 100 types of human papillomavirus (HPV): Some types of HPV cause anal and genital warts, while other types cause more than 90% of anal cancer. Gay men are over 20 times more likely than others to develop anal cancer. SPANC will track the prevalence of anal HPV infection and related anal disease in a cohort of gay men. The Study will provide important information to guide the possible future introduction of anal cancer screening programs for gay men. PartnershipsThe study is being conducted by Professor Andrew Grulich from the Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Associate Professor Richard Hillman from the Western Sydney Sexual Health Centre, University of Sydney and St Vincent’s Hospital, Centre for Applied Medical Research – Clinical Research Program, Professor Andrew Carr from St Vincent’s Hospital, Centre for Applied Medical Research – Clinical Research Program, and A/Prof David Templeton from the Kirby Institute and RPA Sexual Health, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney. Funding and EthicsThe study is being funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia and Cancer Council NSW to run from 2010 to 2018 The study has been approved by St Vincent’s Hospital Human Research Ethics Committee reference number: HREC/09/SVH/168     |