Breast cancer can be sexually transmitted

An Australian researcher has found the same virus that causes cervical cancer in tumors of many women with breast cancer in Australia.

Professor James Lawson of the University of New South Wales and colleagues reported that in the samples of breast tumors they tested, up to half carried the same type of human papilloma virus (HPV) associated with cervical cancer.

Human papilloma virus (Photo: sciencemuseum)

This is the first such study in Australia, although international studies have also found HPV associated with cervical cancer in breast cancer cells. Lawson said that although the conclusions are not yet conclusive, it is likely that HPV also causes breast cancer. According to him, HPV is spread through sexual activity or bathing, where the virus travels from the private area to the breast through the nipple gland.

"We know that the virus breaks out from the cell and is transmitted through touch, so it is very clear that it is transmitted through sexual activity to the breast, or through bathing."

Lawson said more research is needed to determine whether HPV actually causes breast cancer, or that women with breast cancer are more susceptible to the virus.

Lawson and colleagues last year published the results of DNA analysis whereby 24 out of 50 breast cancer samples were positive for HPV 18, the virus was related to cervical cancer. Subsequent tests also found numerous forms of HPV in 10 different breast cancer studies since 1999.

Last month, Lawson reported a 2005 test that found women with HPV and breast cancer were more than 8 years older on average than those with breast cancer without HPV positive. He argued that this proves that breast cancer can be sexually transmitted, because HPV is more common among young people because they are more sexually active.

MT