A recent study published by The Lancet Oncology found that higher CD4 counts in HIV-infected patients were associated with lower risk of developing several cancers.

Though HIV infection is a known forerunner of certain types of cancer, possible risk factors such as low CD4 count, high viral load, or antiretroviral therapy (ART) have not been well studied.

Due to their weakened immune systems, 30 to 40 percent of HIV-positive individuals will be diagnosed with cancer. Some cancer types are so prevalent among the HIV-infected population that they are called “AIDS-defining.”…

A recent study published in the Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes (JAIDS) found that the incidence of non-AIDS defining malignancies, such as anal and lung cancer, is increased for HIV infected individuals.

“Non-AIDS defining illnesses” includes all forms of cancers except skin, lymphoma, cervical carcinoma, Kaposi’s sarcoma and some ill-defined cancers. These are considered AIDS defining and are known to be of higher prevalence in HIV-positive individuals.

In this study, it was found that HIV-infected patients also have a higher risk of developing certain non-AIDS defining illnesses.…