Chancre: meaning, definitions and examples

Medical Terminology

• This type of sore is often related to syphilis, a sexually transmitted infection.
• Chancre sores are usually painless, making them tricky to detect without proper medical checks.
• They can appear in various places on the body, not just the genitals, including the mouth.

Historical Context

• The term 'chancre' comes from the Latin word 'cancer', meaning 'sore' or 'ulcer'.
• Historical medical texts from the 18th century often referenced chancre in relation to syphilis outbreaks in Europe.
• Before the discovery of antibiotics, chancerous sores often led to severe health complications and were considered quite serious.

Prevention and Health Awareness

• Regular check-ups and safe practices can prevent the occurrence of chancres.
• Awareness about sexual health is crucial in reducing the stigma and spreading knowledge about conditions like syphilis.
• Public health campaigns have focused on education to help people recognize symptoms early, limiting the effects of the disease.

Cultural References

• In literature, syphilis (and its symptoms like chancre) reflects the societal fears around morality and disease in the 19th century.
• Chancers appear in some historical novels to illustrate the challenges of that era, bridging individual plight with broader social issues.
• Modern media occasionally depicts characters with sexually transmitted infections, sometimes showing chancres as a part of their story.

At rank #26,760, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.

• ...
• 26757 diplomatically
• 26758 boa
• 26759 leaner
• 26760 chancre
• 26761 bassoon
• 26762 whitening
• 26763 insecticidal
• ...