Immune compromization and disparities in cancer type among sexual minority men.

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e16564 Background: Self-identified gay men are at higher risk for contracting HIV and other sexually transmitted infections than their heterosexual counterparts. Gay men are also at higher risk for reporting a lifetime history of cancer diagnoses. While certain types of cancers, specifically Kaposi sarcoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma, are more common among gay and sexual minority men, it is yet unclear to what extent this disparity is due to immune compromization or comorbid infection with HIV. Methods: The current study utilized data from 173 gay and 5544 heterosexual men collected as part of the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey conducted in 2009 in California. Items assessed lifetime history of cancer diagnosis, type of cancer, sexual minority status, and presence of a weakened immune system resulting from diseases such as HIV/AIDS. Chi-square tests were used to examine differences in rates and types of cancer diagnoses by sexual minority status. Logistic regression was then used to examine risk for reporting a lifetime history of cancer based on sexual minority status and accounting for a weakened immune system. Results: In this sample, rates of cancer diagnoses differed significantly between gay and heterosexual men, with gay men more likely to report diagnoses of cancer (χ2 = 4.53, p < 0.05, OR = 1.53). In addition, types of cancer diagnoses reported differed significantly between gay and heterosexual men, with gay men more likely to report diagnoses of oral cancer (1.2% vs. 0.1%; χ2 = 23.31, p < 0.001); testicular cancer (1.2% vs. 0.1%; χ2 = 9.84, p < 0.01); and “other” cancers (1.7% vs. 0.3%; χ2 = 9.11, p < 0.01). Notably, this disparity in cancer diagnoses persisted even when controlling for a weakened immune system (χ2 = 3.95, p < 0.05; OR = 1.80, 95% CI = 1.03 to 3.15). Conclusions: Immune system compromization accounts for some of the disparity noted between gay and heterosexual men in rates of cancer diagnoses; however, other risk factors may be implicated. Cancer screening rates for gay men should be increased, and screening physicians should specifically assess for risk factors in gay men.