Semen 'aggravates cervical cancer'

The presence of semen in a vagina can encourage the development of cervical cancer, British scientists have claimed.

A report by the Medical Research Council (MRC) published today explains that semen contains prostaglandin, a molecule which behaves similarly to a hormone.

Cells in the womb lining use signals sent out by prostaglandin to thicken or shed the cell wall in accordance with the menstrual cycle, but high volumes of signalling between them can exacerbate the development of tumour growths in the womb.

As semen contains levels of prostaglandin around 1,000 times higher than in the womb, the MRC's human reproductive sciences unit believes the enhanced risk is so great that at-risk women should act to prevent the presence of semen in the womb where it is unnecessary.

"Sexually active women who are at risk of cervical or uterine cancer should encourage their partners to wear a condom to prevent increased exposure to the prostaglandins that might make their condition worse," Dr Henry Jabbour, who led the research, said.
He said that the report "highlights the potential for a new therapeutic approach that will tackle both possible sources of prostaglandin, those produced naturally by women and those introduced to the body by sperm".

Cervical cancer is a much greater problem in the developing world than it is in the UK because screening programmes are generally able to detect the growth of tumours before they become life-threatening.

Despite this, there were 2,740 cervical cancer cases in England and Wales in 1997. The cancer is the 11th most fatal cancer type for women in the UK, according to the Department of Health (DoH).

© Adfero Ltd

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