About Us
Luna Wellness serves to provide education, prevention, and early detection of HPV-related anal precancers with the aim of limiting anal cancer.
The Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection worldwide. HPV is transmitted through oral, vaginal and anal sex as well as skin to skin contact. Penetration is not necessary for HPV transmission and condoms do not fully protect against transmission. HPV type 16 causes the majority of anal cancer cases. Anal cancer incidences are rising despite the availability and coverage of the HPV vaccine. New anal cancer prevention guidelines call for routine screening and treatment of anal dysplasia of at risk individuals to prevent anal cancer. More trained HRA providers are needed to implement these guidelines. Primary care physicians and nurse practitioners with specialized HRA training are key in the effort to implement the anal cancer prevention guidelines including education, screening, treatment, and monitoring. Together, we can break the silence about taboo subjects ‘below the belt’ for a future full of good health without HPV-related cancers.
Taylor Kelamis, APRN, FNP-C, she/her, is a nurse practitioner focusing on the diagnosis of anal dysplasia and the prevention of anal cancer.
Taylor’s clinical focus includes anal cancer, sexually transmitted infections, and human papilloma virus infections. She has completed IANS’ High Resolution Anoscopy course and is mentored by leaders in the HRA and anal cancer prevention field. She provides anal cancer prevention services including High-Resolution Anoscopy (HRA), STI testing and treatment along with PrEP at her Springdale practice, Luna Wellness. Future plans include the treatment of anal dysplasia. She is a member of the International Anal Neoplasia Society (IANS).
Taylor has worked as a nurse practitioner in primary care, public health and plastic and reconstructive surgery. She attended Roanoke College in Virginia where she received a B.A. in International Relations. Taylor was a Rural Health Peace Corps Volunteer in Paraguay from 2004-2007. She went on to obtain a B.S. in Nursing degree at Johns Hopkins University in Maryland. She worked on the surgical unit at Johns Hopkins Bayview Hospital for 5 years and at a primary care clinic caring primarily for Spanish-speaking individuals. After moving to the Natural State in 2015, Taylor completed Georgetown University’s online M.S. in Nursing FNP program. She and her husband reside in Fayetteville with their two kids and Taylor’s father.
Taylor is a member of the Arkansas Nurse Practitioner Association (ANPA) and has volunteered with the conference committee since 2017.
Prevent Today vs.
Treat Tomorrow
You’ve probably heard that there are over 100 Human Papilloma Viruses (HPV). Did you know that high-risk HPV-related cancers are preventable with the HPV vaccine meant to protect against 9 high and low-risk HPV types? If we slow HPV infection, we reduce the risk of HPV-associated anal, cervical, vulvar, vaginal, penile, and head and neck cancers.
“HPV is a ubiquitous virus of the lower genital tract.” “Prevention of one instance of disease in one person is worth pursuing.”
Vaccination and screening have been instrumental in the United States in reducing the rate of new cervical cancers. Despite this, head and neck cancers have surged, particularly in men over 35, and are now the fastest growing HPV-related cancer in our country. There is no current screening protocol for high-risk HPV in the head and neck. The anal cancer incidence is increasing, especially in women over 50, men who have sex with men and trans women with HIV and those who have had organ transplants.
According to the American Cancer Society, there are an estimated 10,540 new anal cancer cases (3,360 in men and 7,180 in women) and about 2,190 deaths (1,000 in men and 1,190 in women). 1 in 500 individuals has a lifetime risk of developing anal cancer.
High-risk subtypes of HPV, specifically, 16 and 18 cause most anal and cervical cancers. HPV 16 causes 70%+ of anal cancers. Some of these infections remain active while others lie dormant for years or decades. It is hard to know which infections will persist and evolve into pre-cancer and then cancer. The best hope to prevent cancer once a high-risk HPV subtype has been detected is to look for evidence of precancer through cytology (Pap) and confirm it with a High Resolution Anoscopy (HRA) biopsy. The multi-site ANCHOR study published in 2022 provided evidence that treating anal pre-cancers (dysplasia) can help prevent progression to anal cancer, especially in those with reduced immune function.
“I thought it was a hemorrhoid . . .Anal cancer never entered my consciousness.”