In the first study of its kind, scientists in Australia have revealed that breast cancer could be sexually transmitted. The scientists say that there is a possibility that HPV (human papillomavirus) is spread by sexual activity or during showers or baths, when the virus could be transferred from the genital area to the breasts via the nipple ducts.

According to Emeritus Professor James Lawson of the University of New South Wales, the same form of the HPV associated with cervical cancer was found in almost half the breast tumor samples they tested.

According to ABC Science Online, there have been other international studies conducted earlier where scientists have found cervical cancer-related HPV in breast cancer cells.

The scientists say that the studies have revealed that the results are totally worthy of investigation to suspect that HPV could also cause breast cancer.

"We know that the virus explodes out of the cell and is spread by touch, so it's fairly obvious that it could be spread by sexual activity to the breast, you could also argue that it would be spread by washing and bathing," Lawson added.

According to the DNA analysis results published by Lawson in 2005, 24 out of 50 breast cancer samples also tested positive to HPV 18, the same form of the virus implicated in breast cancer.

In other news, the journal Future Microbiology said in June this year that various forms of high-risk HPV had also been identified in 10 separate breast cancer studies since 1999.