A history of 30 or more lifetime sexual partners and infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV) appears to augment the risk for developing penile cancer, according to a recent study. Lack of circumcision at birth, and penile tear or rash from any cause were also associated with increased risk. Cigarette smoking was an added factor.
In the study, conducted by National Cancer Institute grantee Dr. Christopher Maden and co-workers at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, WA, 110 men with penile cancer and 355 healthy, control males were interviewed regarding their medical and sexual histories. Findings on the association between heightened risk for cancer of the penis and sexual activity, HPV infection, and smoking are consistent with results from earlier studies of women and genital cancer. The results are also consistent with previous evidence that lack of neonatal circumcision and complications related to poor hygiene are linked to an increased risk for penile cancer.
The disease is relatively rare, accounting for less than 1 percent of all male cancers. Nearly 400 men died from penile cancer in 1990. Ref: Maden, C., Ph.D., et al., "History of Circumcision, Medical Conditions, and Sexual Activity and Risk of Penile Cancer," Journal of the National Cancer Institute, Vol. 85, No. 1, pp. 19- 24, Jan. 6, 1993.
Source: National Institutes of Health .
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