Harvard Study Suggest Link Between Prostate Cancer And STD's

A new Harvard study has found that there may be a link between a common sexually transmitted disease and prostate cancer. Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) and Brigham and Women's Hospital researchers discovered a potential link between Trichomonas vaginalis and more advanced prostate cancers in men. The new study shows some very promising signs for early detection and treatment of the infection in men having a great impact on prevention of more aggressive prostate cancers.

Trichomonas vaginalis, the most common pathogenic protozoan infection, occurs in 174 million cases of infection are acquired annually worldwide, the World Health organization estimates. Up to three quarters of the men that have this infection may present no symptoms until an abnormal prostate exam occurs. In some cases, men may have mild discharge, an irritation inside the penis, or slight burning after urination or ejaculation.

The study provides a look into one of the potential risk factors, and as such may aid in early screening and thus prevention. "Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men in western countries, and the second leading cause of cancer-specific mortality. Identifying modifiable risk factors for the lethal form of prostate cancer offers the greatest opportunity to reduce suffering from this disease," said Jennifer Stark, lead author of the study.

The study, published online on September 9, 2009, on the Journal of the National Cancer Institute website used blood samples from 673 men with prostate cancer compared with 673 control subjects who had not been diagnosed with prostate cancer. All samples were collected in 1982, well before their cancer diagnosis. The results were a bit enlightening, showing that there was a two fold risk of more advanced prostate cancer and a three fold risk of cancer diagnosis that would result in men that had Trichomonas vaginalis infection associated with their diagnosis.

"The fact that we found a strong association between serologic evidence of infection with Trichomonas vaginalis, a potentially modifiable risk factor, and risk of advanced and lethal disease represents a step forward in prostate cancer, especially given that so few risk factors for aggressive prostate cancer have been identified," said Lorelei Mucci, senior author of the study.

If the study proves conclusive, it does provide a great deal of hope not only in early detection and screening, but a potential for an inexpensive treatment course. As Trichomonas vaginalis infection is usually easily treated with antibiotics, this could show promise in being able to prevent an identifiable modifier of the cancer itself and could be a hopeful step in prevention of prostate cancer.

Source: "Prospective Study of Trichomonas vaginalis Infection and Prostate Cancer Incidence and Mortality: Physicians' Health Study," Jennifer R. Stark , Gregory Judson, John F. Alderete, Vasanthakrishna Mundodi, Ashwini S. Kucknoor, Edward L. Giovannucci, Elizabeth A. Platz, Siobhan Sutcliffe, Katja Fall, Tobias Kurth, Jing Ma, Meir J. Stampfer, Lorelei A. Mucci, Journal of the National Cancer Institute, online September 9, 2009

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