20 Nov 2025 • A large population-based analysis found that individuals with a history of bacterial sexually transmitted infections have a higher cancer risk than the general population.

Key Findings:

• Among women, cervical cancer risk was 90% higher (SIR 1.9), thyroid cancer risk increased by 20% (SIR 1.2), and colon cancer risk was nearly tripled when gonorrhea or chlamydia occurred alongside additional STIs (SIR 2.9–3.2).
• In men, overall cancer incidence was modestly elevated (SIR 1.1), but Hodgkin lymphoma showed a consistent rise across all bacterial STIs (SIR 1.8).
• Men with chlamydia alone had higher risks of prostate (SIR 1.5) and testicular cancer (SIR 1.6), while syphilis exposure more than doubled lung cancer risk (SIR 2.4).

The findings support stronger long-term cancer surveillance and prevention measures in adults previously treated for bacterial STIs.

Source: WILEY | Read Full Story