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only HIV. "But they were retrospective studies, which means that information about gonorrhea was gathered after the cancer was diagnosed," said Dr. Michaud. "These studies can sometimes give misleading results," he said. The analysis was done prospectively. Selected cases of gonorrhea were abundant information available before the study started. It is the first time a prospective study confirmed the link. Inflammation Michaud said: "Gonorrhoea is an infection that often recurs, causing local inflammation and symptoms such as incomplete emptying of the bladder. The inflammation is itself associated with symptoms that could contribute to the development of bladder cancer." Professor John Toy, medical director of Cancer Research UK, said: "This study strengthens the suspected link between infection by the bacterium of gonorrhea and bladder cancer in men." "The next step is to confirm whether the increased risk could be caused directly by infection with gonorrhea or its symptoms," said the teacher. "Further research is needed to exclude the possibility that gonorrhea is acting as a marker of cancer-causing agent as a separate infection," he added. Danger Rapid diagnosis is essential, so anyone who thinks that was at risk of contracting a sexually transmitted infection or have developed their symptoms should seek immediate medical attention Gwenda Hughes, Agency for Health Protection UK Although the number of new patients has fallen each year, gonorrhea is the second sexually transmitted infection most commonly diagnosed in the United Kingdom and the new study emphasizes the importance of protecting against such infections. Gwenda Hughes, head of the department of surveillance of sexually transmitted infections of the Agency for Health Protection in the UK, said: "According to our latest statistics for all sexually transmitted infections, gonorrhea has decreased 13% (from 22 350 cases 2004-19495) in 2005, she said. "However, we should not be satisfied, because in general the cases of these infections are increasing," added Hughes. "Rapid diagnosis is essential, so anyone who thinks that was at risk of contracting a sexually transmitted infection or have developed their symptoms should seek immediate medical attention," the official recommended.