Premium
The carcinogenicity of smegma: debunking a myth
Author(s) -
Van Howe RS,
Hodges FM
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
journal of the european academy of dermatology and venereology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.655
H-Index - 107
eISSN - 1468-3083
pISSN - 0926-9959
DOI - 10.1111/j.1468-3083.2006.01653.x
Subject(s) - medicine , mythology , perspective (graphical) , prostate cancer , cervical cancer , scientific evidence , medical literature , carcinogen , cancer , epistemology , pathology , literature , philosophy , art , artificial intelligence , biology , computer science , genetics
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.