Women Living with HIV Face Higher Rates of Cancer Diagnosis: Study

published on September 15, 2015

Vancouver, BC [September 15, 2015] Due to the introduction of modern highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), people living with HIV are now much less likely to develop AIDS-related cancers, which were characteristic of the epidemic in the 1980s. However, a new study published in HIV Medicine shows women living with HIV still have a higher likelihood of being diagnosed with certain cancers, when compared with the general population.

While rates of AIDS-defining malignancies may be decreasing over time, there has been an observed increase in non-AIDS defining malignancies among women living with HIV compared to the general population. This trend primarily involves cancers with underlying infectious causes such as human papillomavirus (HPV) and hepatitis.

“This research suggests chronic inflammation, immune-suppression, aging and viral infections may be contributing to the cancer risk,” said Dr. Robert Hogg, Senior Research Scientist at the BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS (BC-CfE) and Professor at Simon Fraser University. Dr. Hogg is the thesis supervisor for Kate Salters, the study’s main author. “The study highlights the importance of ongoing access to HIV care and cancer screening practices that are specific to the risks facing women living with HIV. With sustained treatment, women with HIV are now able to live longer, healthier lives – making it increasingly important to address emerging health needs.”

The study shows a need for improved women-centred access and support:

Women living with HIV with a cancer diagnosis were more likely than those without cancer to have an AIDS-defining illness at the time of diagnosis, a higher viral load and a lower CD4 count (the measure of one’s ability to fight infection).
A significant proportion of women were less than 95 per cent adherent to combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) in the year prior to cancer diagnosis.
Nearly 69 per cent of the women did not achieve virological suppression in the year prior to cancer diagnosis.
HIV-positive women with cancer had a significantly higher likelihood of mortality compared with HIV-positive women without cancer (46.2 per cent compared to 17.5 per cent).

The study was conducted as a collaboration between BC-CFE and BC Women’s Hospital’s Oak Tree Clinic. It is the first to investigate cancer incidence specifically among women using linked population-based data. Previous studies have investigated rates of cancer among men living with HIV. It is also groundbreaking in demonstrating a link between immunosuppression and malignancy.

“These findings suggest sustained and consistent use of cART may be protective against cancer development, and a key to better quality of life for those living with HIV,” said Dr. Julio Montaner, Director of the BC-CfE. “It is one more indicator of the critical role of antiretroviral treatment and the urgent need to expand access to such effective, lifesaving treatments.”

“The study highlights the importance of gendered research,” said Dr. Neora Pick, Medical Director of Oak Tree Clinic, the BC provincial clinic for women and children living with HIV.

Cancer incidence rates by cancer type were compared between the sample of women living with HIV diagnosed with cancer and a general population sample provided by the BC Cancer Agency. There were no significant differences in a number of types of cancer (such as respiratory, soft tissue, urinary and others). Women with HIV were found to have lower likelihood of cancers of the digestive system and breast cancer.

About the British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS
The BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS (BC-CfE) is Canada’s largest HIV/AIDS research, treatment and education facility and is internationally recognized as an innovative world leader in combating HIV/AIDS and related diseases. BC-CfE is based at St. Paul’s Hospital, Providence Health Care, a teaching hospital of the University of British Columbia. The BC-CfE works in close collaboration with key provincial stakeholders, including government, health authorities, health care providers, academics from other institutions, and the community to decrease the health burden of HIV and AIDS. By developing, monitoring and disseminating comprehensive research and treatment programs for HIV and related illnesses, the BC-CfE helps improve the health of British Columbians.

For additional information or to request interviews, please contact:
Caroline Dobuzinskis, BC-CfE
Cell: 604-366-6540
Phone: 604-682-2344 ext. 66536
Email: cdobuzin@cfenet.ubc.ca

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BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS

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Women Living with HIV Face Higher Rates of Cancer Diagnosis: Study

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