A hormone in semen may set off cancer

In a report in the Journal of Endocrinology and Human Reproduction the Medical Research Council team wrote that cervical and uterine cancers could be impelled by a prostaglandin hormone found in semen.

Prostaglandin is a chemical that has many roles in the body like a role in inflammation, muscle contraction, a role in regulating body temperature, etc

Women who either have cervical or uterine cancer or are at increased risk of developing one are being advised to always use condoms during sex, so that they would prevent increased exposure to the prostaglandins that could impair their health and make their condition worse.

Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in women globally. This new finding could lead to a new treatment that would orientate towards removing the sources of prostaglandins made naturally by the body and those delivered by semen.

For the time being, the only preventive to developing these cancers is having regular pap smears.