Prostate cancer may a sexually transmitted disease, with the infection transmitted during intercourse, but the evidence remains sparse.
Researchers from the University of California tested human prostate cells in the lab and found that and infection called trichomoniasis aided cancer growth, with their findings published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).
This is not the first study to link the infection to prostate cancer, with a 2009 study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute proposing a similar theory. However, Cancer Research UK say it is still to early to definitively link the parasite with an increased risk of prostate cancer.
Trichomoniasis is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by a tiny parasite called Trichomonas vaginalis, and is spread by having unprotected sex and sharing sex toys, according to the NHS.
Women infected with trichomoniasis may experience itchy genitals, discomfort with urination, or a fishy-smelling discharge. Whereas men may feel itching or soreness inside the penis, or a burning sensation after urination or ejaculation.
However, often both men and women may not experience any symptoms and still carry the infection.
Globally trichomoniasis affects approximately 152 million people as of 2010, around 2.2% of the world’s population.
1 Comment
Hi,
“Prostate cancer may be sexually transmitted disease” As women do no have a prostate this may seem academic but may have wider indication for the spread of cancer.