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The carcinogenicity of smegma: debunking a myth
1Department of Pediatrics, Michigan State University School of Human Medicine, Marquette, MI, USA. rsvanhowe@mgh.org
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.
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