HIV-positive Latinos are at a particularly higher risk of human papillomavirus (HPV)-related cancers compared with the general population.

Publishing their findings in the journal Cancer, researchers reviewed data from the HIV/AIDS Cancer Match Study, amassing 864,067 cumulative years of follow-up data. During this time, 502 people developed HPV-related cancers.

With the exception of oropharyngeal cancer, the risk of HPV-related cancers was elevated among HIV-positive Latinos compared with the general population. Specifically, Latinas with HIV had a 3.59-fold increased risk of cervical cancer and Latino males had an 18.7-fold increased risk of anal cancer compared with the general population.

Latinas with HIV had a 1.7-fold increased risk of cervical cancer and a 60 percent lower risk of vulvar cancer compared with white women. Compared with their African-American counterparts, HIV-positive Latinas had 38 percent lower risk of vulvar cancer.

Among HIV-positive men, Latinos had a 2.6-fold higher rate of penile cancer compared with whites living with the virus and a 46 percent and 35 percent lower risk of anal cancer compared with whites and African-Americans, respectively.

The study authors stressed that HPV vaccination should be promoted among people living with HIV to reduce the burden of HPV-related cancers.

To read the study abstract, click here.