Sam Harrison, Author at Sahir

Do You Identify as a Man Who Has Sex with Men (MSM)? We Want to Hear from You!

Sahir and One Wirral are running a short community survey to understand how men who have sex with men (MSM) view the HPV vaccine and what might be getting in the way of people accessing it. HPV affects many people, but MSM often face unique barriers to information, screening, and vaccination — and we want to change that.

At Sahir, we know that good sexual health is part of living well. Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is something that affects most people at some stage in their lives, yet it is not often talked about.

This page has been written for people living with HIV and for LGBTQ+ people of all genders. It explains what HPV is, why it matters, and what you can do to look after your health.

What is HPV?

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a very common group of viruses. Most sexually active people will get HPV at some point in their lives. In most cases, the body clears it naturally and it causes no problems.

Some types of HPV can cause genital warts. Other types can lead to cell changes that, over time, may cause cancers such as cervical, anal, penile, or throat cancer.

How HPV spreads

HPV spreads from person to person on the skin during sex. It passes easily from person to person during any type of sexual contact, including oral sex, skin to skin genital contact, or sharing sex toys. The virus can live on the skin around the whole genital area.

Condoms and dental dams reduce the risk but do not remove it completely. The best ways to protect yourself are through HPV vaccination and regular screening.

HPV can affect all sexual orientations and anyone who has ever been sexually active.

Information for people living with HIV

Why this matters

If you are living with HIV, your body may find it harder to clear HPV. This means infections can last longer and sometimes cause cell changes that increase the risk of certain cancers.

Regular screening, vaccination, and early treatment all make a difference.

What to do

• Stay up to date with your HIV care and medication
• Attend screening appointments. If you have a cervix, you should have cervical screening every year. Make sure your sample form mentions HIV
• Ask about HPV vaccination. Many HIV and sexual health clinics offer it to eligible people up to age 45
• Report new symptoms early. For example, bleeding after sex, bleeding from the back passage, unusual discharge, new lumps or warts, or any new pain

Information for LGBTQ+ people

Why this matters

HPV affects everyone, women, men, and people of all genders and sexualities.

Some groups have a higher risk of certain HPV related cancers, including:

• Gay, bi, and other men who have sex with men
• Women, including cis & trans women, who have anal sex
• Trans women and trans men
• Non binary people
• Anyone who has receptive anal sex
• Women who have sex with women, HPV can still be passed through skin contact

What to do

• If you have a cervix, attend cervical screening when invited. If you have not had an invite, you can still book with your GP or local sexual health clinic
• Ask about HPV vaccination, available to young people through schools and, for adults, at many sexual health clinics
• Get checked if you notice bleeding, pain, new lumps or warts, or anything that feels unusual for you

Find out more about HPV

For more information, visit

• NHS, HPV overview

• Macmillan, HPV overview

• The Eve Appeal, information on gynaecological cancers

If you live in the Liverpool City Region, you can contact your local sexual health service or HIV clinic for advice about vaccination, screening, or symptoms.

If you have urgent concerns and cannot get an appointment quickly, call NHS 111 for advice.

Take part in our HPV research project with One Wirral

What the project aims to do:

Learn how MSM communities think and feel about HPV and the HPV vaccine
Understand barriers to getting vaccinated
Co-design an inclusive, accurate campaign that reflects real experiences
Feed these insights into a wider national Cancer Alliance campaign launching in 2026

Who can take part:
Anyone aged 16+ who identifies as a man who has sex with men (MSM).

What taking part involves:
Just complete a short online survey — it takes only a few minutes. You can scan the QR code provided or use the direct link below.

Key date:
Please complete the survey by Sunday 30th November.

How to take part:
Follow this link:
https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/28CYQI/

Data protection:
All responses are anonymous. No identifying information is collected, and your data will be stored securely in line with GDPR. Findings will be used only to shape local and national HPV awareness work.

Contact:
If you have any questions about the project, you can get in touch with Gill Clotworthy at gillian.clotworthy@sahir.org.uk.

A new collaboration between Wirral Ways and Sahir is set to expand HIV testing, treatment, and support services throughout the Wirral. This initiative will continue Sahir’s established HIV outreach and support services in the region while Wirral Ways will take the lead on HIV testing, including STI screening for chlamydia, gonorrhoea and syphilis. The partnership is expected to enhance the region’s ability to prevent and manage HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.

Wirral Ways, part of Change Grow Live, will offer free and confidential HIV and STI testing at various locations, ensuring that individuals have easy access to essential sexual health services. Sahir will complement these efforts by providing vital support through 1:1 practical and emotional support, counselling services, peer support groups, and educational outreach for people living with HIV.

The initiative also includes education on the use of HIV prevention tools such as PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis) and PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis). PrEP is a daily medication that significantly reduces the risk of HIV infection, while PEP is an emergency treatment that can prevent infection if taken within 72 hours of exposure. Both treatments will be available as part of this comprehensive new service.

Knowing your status through regular testing is a critical component in preventing the spread of HIV. The partnership will promote the message of U=U, which stands for Undetectable = Untransmittable. This means that individuals with HIV who adhere to treatment and maintain an undetectable viral load cannot transmit the virus to others. The message is simple: with proper treatment, HIV becomes a manageable condition, and those who are undetectable pose no transmission risk.

In addition to testing and treatment, Sahir will run support groups designed to offer emotional and peer support to people living with HIV. These confidential spaces will help reduce stigma, and encourage open discussions about sexual health and living with HIV.

Ant Hopkinson, Sahir’s Chief Executive said that “At Sahir, we are dedicated to supporting individuals living with and affected by HIV. Our partnership with Wirral Ways enables us to extend our reach to even more people in need. By combining our expertise in HIV support and prevention with Wirral Ways’ testing services, we can create a stronger safety net for the community. This collaboration not only supports those living with HIV but also plays a crucial role in reducing stigma and promoting education around prevention tools like PrEP and PEP.”

Sharing his excitement of the new partnership, Gerry Pangalis, Service Manager for Wirral Ways said, “At Wirral Ways, we are committed to supporting the health and wellbeing of our community, and this partnership with Sahir represents a significant step forward in addressing the prevention and treatment of HIV on the Wirral. By combining our local expertise in providing accessible testing services with Sahir’s extensive support and counselling experience, we are ensuring that more people can receive the care they need. This initiative will not only help reduce the spread of HIV but also challenge the stigma that still surrounds the condition. Together, we are building a safer, more informed community.”

This new partnership is part of the national effort to reach the UK’s goal of zero new HIV transmissions by 2030. By making testing, prevention, and support more accessible, the Wirral community will be better equipped to manage their sexual health and reduce the spread of HIV.

For further information on services or to book a test, visit www.sahir.org.uk/wirral.