Cancers among HIV Infected Patients: A Reason for Routine Screening

Abstract

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has been associated with increased risk of cancer worldwide(1). Despite the proven efficacy of HAART, Death associated with cancer among the HIV infected has therefore remained a big challenge.(2) Cancer screening is a proven effective method of prevention and control in many populations.(16) We analyzed the type of cancers HIV infected patients presented with at some treatment facilities with a view to sensitize health worker to the need for routine cancer screening among HIV infected persons. This is a prospective data collection of HIV infected patients at two major treatment facilities in Plateau state over a three year period January 2013 to January 2016. A total of 343 participants were enrolled, 184(56.4%) males and 159(46.4%) females. Majority of reponndants 100(29.1%) were in the age group 37 - 47years, 83.4%(286) were married and 244(31.1%) were unemployed. About 121(35.48%)95% of participants CI: 30.45-40.85 had up to primary school education while 20(8.5%) had no formal education at all CI: 5.86-12.11. The commonest malignancy found among respondents is Kaposi sarcoma 129(37.6%), followed by breast cancer49(14.3%), prostate29(8.7%) and colorectal cancer24(7%). Cervical cancer and Non Hodgkin's lymphoma were at 16(4.5%) and 13(3.8%) respectively. Non AIDS defining cancer is on the increase among HIV infected persons in our community. There is therefore urgent need for routine screening and early detection of cancer among our infected patients.