Many of us don't think of cancer being caused by viruses. A recent study reported that an estimated 2.3 million new cancer cases throughout the world were from infections. Which is about 12% of all cancer cases.
An oncovirus is a virus that can cause cancer. Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) and human papillomavirus (HPV) caused the largest share of these cancers - each causing 4% of new cancers. Vaccines already exist for HPV and HBV (hepatitis B virus) and have been shown to reduce the incidence of cancer.
From CIDRAP: More than 2 million new cancer cases caused by infections in 2024, study finds
Many people fear cancer and want to know what they can do to prevent it. In some cases, genetics, random mutations, or environmental factors are to blame, making it difficult to avoid a diagnosis. A paper published yesterday in The Lancet Oncology, though, calls attention to a preventable cause of cancer—infections. ...continue reading "Study Finds About 12% of Cancers Are From Infections"