Douglawi and Masterson
Another similarity among men and women developing penile or cervical/vulvar cancer is the acquisition of the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). Douglawi and Masterson (2019) note that nearly 40% of cases in France have been linked to this virus, which is most often acquired through unprotected sexual contact. Abramowitz et al. (2018) indicate an incidence of 7.5 per 100,000 women in the United States. Recent campaigns to vaccinate young adults, teens, and those in early adulthood has shown positive results in preventing transmission of this disease Joura, et al. (2019) agree that proper vaccination combined with screening can reduce recurrent or subsequent HPV disease transmission.
A difference in the ability to recognize the presence of cancer includes visibility to the patient. Male sexual organs present an additional chance to catch the presence of a lesion by existing outside the body. Men that use good hygiene and self-examination practices are more likely to note a sore or lump on the penis than a female who must contend with pelvic pain or vaginal bleeding as a warning sign.
Many of the same behavioral factors that cause cancer in other areas of the body are believed to be linked to the development of cancer within the reproductive organs. Factors such as smoking, poor personal hygiene, and HPV infection from unprotected sexual contact are associated with higher instances of penile or cervical/vulvar cancer (Emilio, Luigi, Riccardo, and Carlo, 2019). Additional factors such as diet and physical activity levels, remain a modifiable risk that can be adjusted with the appropriate education and effort.
