Results of a recent review into the link between a history of sexually transmitted diseases (STD’s) and prostate cancer suggest that such infections may have a role in the development of the disease. Drs Leslie K Dennis and Deborah V Dawson found that a history of any STD increased a man’s risk of developing prostate cancer by 1.4-times. While a history of gonorrhea or syphilis was associated with a 1.4 and 2.3 fold risk increase. Men who engaged in sexual activity three times a week were found to be 1.2-times more likely to develop the disease, compared with men who had sex less than once a week. Risk was also found to increase along with the number of sexual partners a man his. Researchers are unclear as to why a man’s sexual history should affect his risk of developing prostate cancer, however some experts believe that increased sexual activity raises the level of tumor-stimulating hormones.
SOURCE/REFERENCE: Epidemiology 2002; 13:72-79
