The carcinogenicity of smegma: debunking a myth.
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.
Van Howe
R S
RS
Department of Pediatrics, Michigan State University School of Human Medicine, Marquette, MI, USA. rsvanhowe@mgh.org
Hodges
F M
FM
D000818:Animals; D002273:Carcinogens / Q000633:toxicity*; D006801:Humans; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012902:Smegma / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000382:microbiology
D002273:Carcinogens