Screening study
Screening for anal cancer and precancer
SANCA is a Swedish multicentre study of HPV-based screening for anal precancer and cancer in people at high risk. It starts with women with HIV and with transgender and non-binary people with HIV.
Anal cancer is uncommon in the general population, but cases are increasing, and some groups have a much higher risk. Most cases are found late, even though precancerous changes can be detected and treated before they turn into cancer. International guidelines now recommend screening for high-risk groups. Sweden has no national guidelines yet, partly because there is no evidence from Swedish healthcare.
SANCA (Screening for anal cancer in high-risk populations: a clinical trial in Sweden) was set up to provide that evidence. At three university hospitals we study whether HPV-based anal screening works in Swedish healthcare, whether people find it acceptable, and whether it is cost-effective. We also test whether blood and tissue biomarkers and AI-assisted endoscopy can help identify who needs further examination.