R S Van Howe1, F M Hodges. 1. Department of Pediatrics, Michigan State University School of Human Medicine, Marquette, MI, USA. rsvanhowe@mgh.org
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Smegma is widely believed to cause penile, cervical and prostate cancer. This nearly ubiquitous myth continues to permeate the medical literature despite a lack of valid supportive evidence. METHODS: A historical perspective of medical ideas pertaining to smegma is provided, and the original studies in both animals and humans are reanalysed using the appropriate statistical methods. RESULTS: Evidence supporting the role of smegma as a carcinogen is found wanting. CONCLUSIONS: Assertions that smegma is carcinogenic cannot be justified on scientific grounds.
BACKGROUND: Smegma is widely believed to cause penile, cervical and prostate cancer. This nearly ubiquitous myth continues to permeate the medical literature despite a lack of valid supportive evidence. METHODS: A historical perspective of medical ideas pertaining to smegma is provided, and the original studies in both animals and humans are reanalysed using the appropriate statistical methods. RESULTS: Evidence supporting the role of smegma as a carcinogen is found wanting. CONCLUSIONS: Assertions that smegma is carcinogenic cannot be justified on scientific grounds.
Authors: Jong Kil Nam; Dong Hoon Lee; Sung Woo Park; Sung Chul Kam; Ki Soo Lee; Tae Hyo Kim; Taek Sang Kim; Cheol Kyu Oh; Hyun Jun Park; Tae Nam Kim Journal: World J Mens Health Date: 2017-04 Impact factor: 5.400