Poverty eradication and decreased human papilloma virus related cancer of the penis and vulva in Jamaica.
Human papilloma virus causes genital cancers. Decreases in cervical cancer have been reported to be due to comprehensive screening programmes difficult to replicate in poorer countries. HPV cancer may be related to poverty. In Jamaica, we have seen decreases in cancer of the penis and vulva and there has also been a decrease in poverty. The decrease cannot be attributed to screening. We believe elimination of poverty has decreased HPV persistence and decreased cancer rates.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of the West Indies Mona, Kingston, Jamaica. horace.fletcher@uwimona.edu.jm
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D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003906:Developing Countries; D005260:Female; D052162:Human papillomavirus 16 / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007563:Jamaica / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000592:standards / Q000639:trends; D008875:Middle Aged; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D010412:Penile Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000821:virology; D011203:Poverty / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012042:Registries; D018570:Risk Assessment; D016019:Survival Analysis; D014412:Tumor Virus Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D014846:Vulvar Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000821:virology