Hey Woody!
I really enjoy anal sex and especially love being gang banged. Now, a friend of mine says that overly active anal sex is one of the causes of rectal cancer in men. Is there any merit to this? Or, is it just another old gay myth? I always play safe and I would hate to take down the revolving door to my bedroom.
Bottoms up? Woody says “Bring it on!”
Hey Woody!
I really enjoy anal sex and especially love being gang banged. Now, a friend of mine says that overly active anal sex is one of the causes of rectal cancer in men. Is there any merit to this? Or, is it just another old gay myth? I always play safe and I would hate to take down the revolving door to my bedroom.
Easy bottom boy
Dear Easy,
It’s no myth. Guys who bottom are 30 times more likely to get anal cancer than those who don’t.
Now before everyone’s sphincter closes for business, know that anal cancer is fairly rare. According to the latest CDC study of male cancer incidence, anal cancer ranks at the ass end of the scale. Compare: Prostate cancer accounts for 29% of all male cancers while anal accounts for .2%.
We know what the proportion of anal cancer is among male cancer victims, but what is its prevalence among all gay men? Nobody knows. Stephen Goldstone M.D., a recognized authority on gay anorectal disorders claims 2.5% of all gay men have anal cancer. But Goldstone’s figures are probably skewed by the large number of HIV clients in his New York City practice (HIV increases the likelihood that precancerous cells will progress to full-blown cancer).
Why would sex cause cancer? It doesn’t–if you’re f*cking the right guys. The guys who don’t carry a sexually transmitted disease called HPV (Human papillomavirus).
Yes, a virus is the primary cause of anal cancer. And, so women won’t feel left out, it’s also the cause of cervical cancer.
So the more you f*ck, the more likely you are to get HPV (or really any STD). You know what really sucks? Condoms won’t protect you from HPV. I mean, they help, but it’s a little like staying dry in a thunderstorm by holding up a newspaper. The virus is transmitted through skin-to-skin contact. You can get it by simply rubbing up against somebody’s genitals.
There are different strains of HPV, most of which cause harmless warts on hands, feet and genitals. There are a few high-risk strains of HPV that can lead to anal or cervical cancer if they’re not treated early. But even the majority of people with “high risk” strains of HPV don’t develop cancer.
Though anal cancers among men are on the increase, most experts believe it’s because men with HIV are living a lot longer. The rate of anal cancer in gay and bisexual men *without HIV* is about the same as the rates of cervical cancer in women before pap smears became routine (they catch easily-treated “precancerous” cells).
Bottom line: Keep bottoming. Get a pap smear every three years, wear condoms to protect yourself from HIV (which is fuel for HPV), and stop smoking (chemicals in cigarettes negatively affect precancerous cells).
You don’t expect people to stop flying because there’s a small chance of getting hurt. If that won’t stop you from getting on a plane it shouldn’t stop you from getting on a man.
Hey Woody!
I get “Lube paralysis” whenever I shop for lubrication. There are so many kinds. Any suggestions as to which I should buy?
Moist with anticipation
Dear Moist,
Buying lube is like buying a car—the only way to find out what you like is to take matters into your own hands. I’ve tried what some experts call “the best lubes” and hated them.
Test drive different lubes and rank them by the following categories:
Texture & Smoothness
How slippery is it? Does it feel like cement? Saliva? Pressed olive oil?
Taste & Smell
Does it smell like second-hand fat (you know, like walking into a McDonald’s) or something yummy?
Drying Factor
Did it disappear after the first few strokes or did it stick around like that trick last night that couldn’t take a hint?
Download woody’s new ebook, How To Bottom Without Pain Or Stains at http://www.mikealvear.com/gay-anal-sex-how-to-bottom-without-pain-or-stains/
