Episode Details

Supported by an unrestricted grant from Incyte Biosciences. Incyte had no involvement in the development, content, or editorial review of the activities associated with this initiative.

Trigger Warning: this episode talks about cancer, HPV, anal cancer, cancer treatment and stigma.

Description: In this educational episode, Naman Julka-Anderson and Jo McNamara sit down with Ms. Tazmin Cumming. This episode is a deep dive into the role surgery plays in the treatment of anal cancer. 

Ms Tamzin Cuming trained at the University of Cambridge and Guys and St Thomas’ Hospitals and went on to do her initial surgical training in Brighton and then completed her specialist colorectal training via the North East Thames National Training Programme. She first came across high resolution anoscopy (HRA) during this training while working at the unit at Homerton Hospital in East London. She undertook a laparoscopic colorectal fellowship at Derriford Hospital in Plymouth. 

Having completed her Certificate of Completion of Training and gaining a Distinction in a Masters in Surgical Education from Imperial College, Ms Cuming became a Consultant Surgeon at Homerton Hospital in 2013 at which time she also began training and practising in HRA.

She now runs the UK's largest AIN service with a national reach, the Homerton Anogenital Neoplasia Service (HANS). She was the President Elect of the International anal Neoplasia Society (iansociety.org) and was the Chair of the Women in Surgery Forum at the Royal College of Surgeons of England from 2021-2024.

CPD Reflection Points:

Please read the ANCHOR study paper.

1. How might the evidence that treating anal high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions reduces progression to anal cancer (by ~57%) influence my current approach to screening, referral, and management of patients living with HIV?
2. What practical barriers (e.g., access to high-resolution anoscopy, patient acceptability, or service availability) could affect implementation of routine screening and treatment for anal HSIL in my clinical setting, and how could these be addressed?

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Links from the Episode:

• Symptoms of Anal Cancer
• Anal Cancer BMJ Best Practice 
• Types of Surgery for Anal Cancer 

Research links from the Episode:

• ANCHOR study 

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Credits: Music and jingle credits: Dr. Ben Potts and Adam Cooke.

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