Precancerous and cancerous cervical lesions: the multicultural "male" risk factor.
OBJECTIVE
To review current knowledge regarding characteristics of males whose partners develop cervical cancer.


METHODS
Classic and current descriptive, cohort, and case-control studies of "male factors" associated with risk of precancerous squamous cell intraepithelial lesions and invasive cervical cancer.


RESULTS
Male hygiene sperm and seminal fluids, occupational exposure to carcinogens, smoking, promiscuity, and venereal infections have been linked to increased risks for developing cervical cancer in a number of studies. Results vary from culture to culture.


CONCLUSIONS
Areas of strongest association that can be targeted for prevention programs include male history of genital warts, poor hygiene, smoking, high numbers of sexual partners, and infrequent practice of safe sexual behaviors.


CONCLUSIONS
Establishment of prevention programs predicated on reducing male factors known to increase risk, encouraging screening of high-risk populations, and using patient education to reduce the practice of high-risk sexual behaviors are called for.
Lovejoy
N C
NC
Teachers College, Columbia University in New York, NY.
D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015331:Cohort Studies; D017280:Condoms; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D005114:Extramarital Relations; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006920:Hygiene; D007182:Income; D008297:Male; D009790:Occupations; D010412:Penile Neoplasms; D012307:Risk Factors; D012736:Sex Education; D012747:Sexual Partners; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000635:transmission; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D002578:Uterine Cervical Dysplasia / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control