Rachel V Thomas

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H. pylori, HPV Among Five Infections Behind 1 In 8 Cancers Worldwide: Lancet

Long associated with factors such as obesity, lifestyle and genetics, cancer can also be linked to infections. A new study published in The <span>Lancet Oncology</span> found that an estimated 2.3 million new cancer cases globally in 2024 — 12%, or about one in eight of all cancers diagnosed that year — were attributable to infections.

The analysis included 12 infectious agents known to cause cancer in humans, including viruses, a bacterium and parasites. It also incorporated newly established infection-cancer associations and additional cancer types caused by known carcinogenic infections, including recent evidence linking Epstein-Barr virus (<span>EBV</span>) with gastric cancer.

“The findings underscore the major role that infection control can play in reducing the global cancer burden,” said Dr Harriet Rumgay, a scientist in the Cancer Surveillance Branch at IARC.

“Despite progress in vaccination and screening, infection-related cancers remain a major global challenge, with the burden falling disproportionately on populations in low- and middle-income countries,” Rumgay added.

<h2>Which Infections Are Driving Cancer?</h2>

<strong>Also read: </strong><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/us-cancer-death-rates-fall-for-men-women-lung-cancer-progress-drives-decline-article-156215533" data-type="tilCustomLink">US Cancer Death Rates Fall For Men, Women: Lung Cancer Progress Drives Decline</a>

Based on cancer burden estimates from the IARC Global Cancer Observatory database, the researchers assessed 12 infectious agents known to cause cancer: Helicobacter pylori, human papillomavirus (<span>HPV</span>), hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), EBV, Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV), Schistosoma haematobium, human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1), Opisthorchis viverrini, Clonorchis sinensis, Merkel cell polyomavirus and HIV.

Five of these accounted for almost all infection-linked cancer cases in 2024:

<ul><li>H. pylori, the stomach bacterium, was linked to 760,000 cases, or 4% of all cancers diagnosed that year.</li><li>HPV was linked to 750,000 cases, also accounting for 4%.</li><li>HBV was linked to 360,000 cases, or 2%.</li><li>EBV was linked to 260,000 cases, or 1%.</li><li>HCV was linked to 160,000 cases, or less than 1%.</li></ul>

<h2>Which Countries Bear Most Of The Burden?</h2>

<strong>READ: </strong><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/multicancer-blood-test-detects-17-cancer-in-a-large-study-can-it-replace-mammograms-colonoscopies-article-156218351" data-type="tilCustomLink">Multicancer Blood Test Detects 17 Cancer In A Large Study: Can It Replace Mammograms &amp; Colonoscopies?</a>

Low- and middle-income countries accounted for 77% of all infection-linked cancer cases.

Eastern Asia recorded the largest number of infection-attributable cancer cases, with 990,000 cases — 42% of the global total — driven mainly by H. pylori and HBV.

Sub-Saharan Africa had the highest proportion of cancers linked to infection, with a quarter of all cancers in the region attributed to infectious agents. The burden was driven largely by HPV, KSHV and HIV.

The study also found that EBV is the fourth-largest infectious cause of cancer globally, ahead of HCV. This reflects growing evidence that EBV contributes not only to nasopharyngeal cancer and <span>lymphomas</span> but also to a proportion of gastric cancers.

<h2>How To Prevent Infection-Related Cancers</h2>

<strong>Read More: </strong><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/fatty-liver-chronic-gut-diseases-and-worm-infections-indias-changing-disease-burden-article-156026721" data-type="tilCustomLink">Fatty Liver, Chronic Gut Diseases And Worm Infections: India’s Changing Disease Burden</a> 

The authors said the findings underline the importance of infection control in reducing cancer rates. They highlighted several measures that are already available but remain underused, including 

<ul><li>HPV and hepatitis B vaccination; </li><li>testing and treatment for HIV, H. pylori, and hepatitis B and C; </li><li>safe injection practices; </li><li>access to condoms </li><li>pre-exposure prophylaxis to prevent HIV transmission; </li><li>screening for precancerous lesions in HPV-driven cervical and anal cancers.</li></ul>   

HPV Vaccine for Girls: Safety, Fertility & Cervical Cancer Explained

Many of these measures are cost-effective but remain underused in many countries because of societal, financial and political barriers.

“This updated analysis shows that the landscape of infection-related cancers continues to evolve as scientific evidence advances,” said Dr Gary Clifford, senior co-author of the study.

“It also highlights where future investments in new prevention tools could have the greatest impact, particularly for infections such as EBV, for which effective vaccines are not yet available.”

The authors said reducing infection-related cancers will require wider implementation of established prevention strategies, alongside continued investment in new tools, particularly vaccines against EBV and other cancer-causing infections for which effective preventive measures are not yet available.

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Long associated with factors such as obesity, lifestyle and genetics, cancer can also be linked to infections. A new study published in The Lancet Oncology found that an estimated 2.3 million new cancer cases globally in 2024 — 12%, or about one in eight of all cancers diagnosed that year — were attributable to infections.The analysis included 12 infectious agents known to cause cancer in humans, including viruses, a bacterium and parasites. It also incorporated newly established infection-cancer associations and additional cancer types caused by known carcinogenic infections, including recent evidence linking Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) with gastric cancer.“The findings underscore the major role that infection control can play in reducing the global cancer burden,” said Dr Harriet Rumgay, a scientist in the Cancer Surveillance Branch at IARC.“Despite progress in vaccination and screening, infection-related cancers remain a major global challenge, with the burden falling disproportionately on populations in low- and middle-income countries,” Rumgay added.Which Infections Are Driving Cancer?Also read: US Cancer Death Rates Fall For Men, Women: Lung Cancer Progress Drives DeclineBased on cancer burden estimates from the IARC Global Cancer Observatory database, the researchers assessed 12 infectious agents known to cause cancer: Helicobacter pylori, human papillomavirus (HPV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), EBV, Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV), Schistosoma haematobium, human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1), Opisthorchis viverrini, Clonorchis sinensis, Merkel cell polyomavirus and HIV.Five of these accounted for almost all infection-linked cancer cases in 2024:H. pylori, the stomach bacterium, was linked to 760,000 cases, or 4% of all cancers diagnosed that year.HPV was linked to 750,000 cases, also accounting for 4%.HBV was linked to 360,000 cases, or 2%.EBV was linked to 260,000 cases, or 1%.HCV was linked to 160,000 cases, or less than 1%.Which Countries Bear Most Of The Burden?READ: Multicancer Blood Test Detects 17 Cancer In A Large Study: Can It Replace Mammograms & Colonoscopies?Low- and middle-income countries accounted for 77% of all infection-linked cancer cases.Eastern Asia recorded the largest number of infection-attributable cancer cases, with 990,000 cases — 42% of the global total — driven mainly by H. pylori and HBV.Sub-Saharan Africa had the highest proportion of cancers linked to infection, with a quarter of all cancers in the region attributed to infectious agents. The burden was driven largely by HPV, KSHV and HIV.The study also found that EBV is the fourth-largest infectious cause of cancer globally, ahead of HCV. This reflects growing evidence that EBV contributes not only to nasopharyngeal cancer and lymphomas but also to a proportion of gastric cancers.How To Prevent Infection-Related CancersRead More: Fatty Liver, Chronic Gut Diseases And Worm Infections: India’s Changing Disease Burden The authors said the findings underline the importance of infection control in reducing cancer rates. They highlighted several measures that are already available but remain underused, including HPV and hepatitis B vaccination; testing and treatment for HIV, H. pylori, and hepatitis B and C; safe injection practices; access to condoms pre-exposure prophylaxis to prevent HIV transmission; screening for precancerous lesions in HPV-driven cervical and anal cancers.   Many of these measures are cost-effective but remain underused in many countries because of societal, financial and political barriers.“This updated analysis shows that the landscape of infection-related cancers continues to evolve as scientific evidence advances,” said Dr Gary Clifford, senior co-author of the study.“It also highlights where future investments in new prevention tools could have the greatest impact, particularly for infections such as EBV, for which effective vaccines are not yet available.”The authors said reducing infection-related cancers will require wider implementation of established prevention strategies, alongside continued investment in new tools, particularly vaccines against EBV and other cancer-causing infections for which effective preventive measures are not yet available.

h. pylori, hpv among five infections behind 1 in 8 cancers worldwide: lancet

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