HPV (Human papillomavirus)  has long been connected with increasing the risk of cervical cancer.  A report in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute that was released on March 15th links HPV to squamous cell carcinoma.

NEW YORK MAR 14, 2006 (Reuters Health) – Human papillomavirus (HPV) types
from the genus beta appear to play a role in the pathogenesis of squamous cell
carcinoma of the skin, according to a report in the Journal of the National
Cancer Institute for March 15th.

HPV infection has been strongly linked to several epithelial cancers, but
whether such infections are involved in the etiology of keratinocyte
malignancies is unclear, lead author Dr. Margaret R. Karagas, from the Dartmouth
Medical School in Lebanon, New Hampshire, and colleagues note.

…

"It is becoming increasingly evident that HPV acts as a carcinogen in
malignancies other than cervical cancer," the authors conclude.  "Although sun
exposure and sun sensitivity are the major risk factors for keratinocyte
cancers, our data support a role of HPV, particularly beta HPVs, in the
development of squamous cell carcinoma."

Source:  Women’s Cancer Network

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