30. Recognising and treating anal cancer: training medical students and physicians in Puerto Rico

Abstract

Background Knowledge about epidemiology, diagnosis and treatment of anal neoplasia is limited among medical students and physicians from Puerto Rico (PR). Methods: Educational activity (1.5 contact hours) about anal cancer for a group of medical students, residents and faculty from the University of PR (n = 50). A 6-item pre- and post-test on anal cancer was given to assess the change in knowledge. Results: Thirty-four participants (68%) answered the survey. Overall, 78.8% had not received training in anal cancer screening and 93.9% were interested in receiving this training. Most (75.8%) were interested in participating in a clinical trial. An increase in the test scores was observed after the activity (pre-test: 3.4 ± 1.2; post-test: 4.7 ± 0.71). Three items showed an increment in the post-test that assessed participants’ knowledge regarding: (1) current status of guidelines for the screening/treatment of patients with HPV-related anal disease; (2) that anal intraepithelial neoplasia (AIN) 2 is considered to be a form of high-grade AIN (HGAIN); and (3) that warty growths in the anus are not necessarily a manifestation of HGAIN. Conclusions: This educational activity increased the participants’ knowledge of anal cancer and revealed that most of them were interested in future training and in collaborating in clinical trials. Training physicians from PR on anal cancer and clinical trials is essential to encourage recruitment of Hispanic patients in these studies now that the guidelines in anal cancer screening and treatment are on their way to being defined.