Prostate cancer can be a complication of a sexually transmitted disease. Scientists from the University of California tested human prostate cells in the laboratory. They discovered a sexually transmitted infection called trichomoniasis, which they believed stimulated the growth of cancer. Trichomoniasis is estimated to infect 275 million people worldwide and is the most common non-viral sexually transmitted infection. Often there are no symptoms and a person may not even suspect they are infected. Men may experience itching or irritation in the penis itself, as well as burning during urination and ejaculation. A whitish-colored discharge from the male genital organ may also occur. Women may experience itching or pain in the genital area, discomfort when urinating, or a discharge with an unpleasant fishy odor. NEWS_MORE_BOX The current study is not the first to show a link between trichomoniasis and prostate cancer. Another from 2009 found that a quarter of men who had prostate cancer reported symptoms characteristic of the infection. Advanced tumors were also recorded in these patients. The researchers also found that the parasites that cause the infection secrete a protein that causes inflammation and increases the growth of benign and cancerous prostate cells. Although several types of cancer develop as a result of infections, Cancer Research UK explains that it is still too early to add prostate cancer to that list. The study data was published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.