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<\/p>\nJimmy Kimmel Opens a Window on the Invasive Anal Procedure We\u2019ll All Need to Have: WATCH<\/b>
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A certain medical rite of passage at age 50 involves anal insertion and it\u2019s the kind most look upon with dread: the colonoscopy.<\/p>\n
Accompanied by friend and comforter Katie Couric (Couric\u2019s husband died of colon cancer at the age of 42), Kimmel allowed a film crew to film his journey to the hospital to have the procedure, which takes about 20 minutes to an hour, requires sedation, and involves what many describe as the most unpleasant part of the procedure<\/a> \u2013 the prior night\u2019s bowel prep, which involves drinking a laxative liquid that makes you go to the toilet, frequently.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re about to watch a camera<\/a> go where no camera<\/a> has ever gone before,\u201d said Kimmel before embarking on his procedure.<\/p>\n \u201cColorectal cancer annually strikes about 140,000 people and causes 60,000 deaths, but is potentially curable if detected in its early stages,\u201d according to the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons. \u201cMore than 90 percent of patients are over 40, at which point the risk of contracting the disease doubles every ten years.\u201d<\/p>\n So, kudos to Kimmel for opening up (so to speak) and bringing attention to this necessary procedure with humor.<\/p>\n Colonoscopies can also detect other health issues, ones of specific significance for gay<\/a> men<\/a>.<\/p>\n Anal cancer caused by chronic or persistent\u00a0human papillomavirus (HPV)<\/a>\u00a0infection is one issue gay<\/a> men<\/a> should be aware of, particularly if HIV-positive.<\/p>\n Writes The BodyPro.com<\/a>:<\/p>\n Almost 620,000<\/a>\u00a0gay<\/a> and bisexual<\/a> men<\/a> in the United States were living with HIV in 2014, and 100,000 of these men<\/a> were not even aware of their infection. These men<\/a> are\u00a0100 times<\/a>\u00a0more likely to have anal cancer than HIV-negative men<\/a> who exclusively have sex<\/a> with women<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u2026Initiation of anti-retroviral therapy in the 1990s greatly reduced the AIDS-related death rate and improved survival. However, this improvement in survival led to an\u00a0increase<\/a>\u00a0in the lifetime risk of developing anal cancer, especially among HIV-positive gay<\/a> and bisexual<\/a> men<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n \u2026Anal cancer is typically preceded by persistent HPV infection that often leads to precancer. HPV is common among U.S. men<\/a>; about\u00a0one out of two<\/a>\u00a0men<\/a> in the general population has HPV infection. HPV typically clears naturally; however, under certain circumstances, it might persist longer and might progress to anal precancer. If it remains undetected, untreated or inadequately treated, this precancer can progress to anal cancer.<\/p>\n Aside from cancer detection, colonoscopies can also reveal other<\/a> anorectal issues like fissures, and STIs such as herpes, HPV, gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis, and peri-anal disease, though many of these can also be detected using less invasive methods.<\/p>\n Which is why you should have regular check-ups with a gay<\/a>-affirmative doctor.<\/p>\n Body Conscious: Gay Men\u2019s Health, Sex, and Self<\/a>\u00a0is a new regular twice-monthly feature from Towleroad covering the unique issues gay<\/a> men<\/a> face with regard to physical and mental fitness.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n If you are a writer\/professional with a background in gay<\/a> men<\/a>\u2019s health interested in contributing to this regular column, shoot us an email at jobs-at-towleroad.com<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n The post Jimmy Kimmel Opens a Window on the Invasive Anal Procedure We\u2019ll All Need to Have: WATCH<\/a> appeared first on Towleroad<\/a>.<\/p>\n![\"Body](\"https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/www.towleroad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Body-conscious-.jpg?resize=225%2C95\")
<\/a>Jimmy Kimmel opened a window to the procedure this week in an enlightening segment that should help a lot of people who fear anything that requires them to put on a hospital gown.<\/p>\n