Infectious causes of cancer

Infectious causes of cancer refer to viruses or other infectious agents that can lead to the development of cancer in humans. Examples of infectious causes of cancer include hepatitis B and C viruses, which are associated with hepatic cancer, and human papilloma virus (HPV) and hepatitis B, which can be prevented through vaccination. Preventing these infectious causes of cancer can significantly reduce the overall incidence of cancer.From: Modernising Cancer Services [2018], Screening for women at midlife: we need to remain vigilant [2018]

Preventing cancer

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Published in Mark R Baker, Modernising Cancer Services, 2018

John Wilkinson

Worldwide, the most important infectious causes of cancer are hepatitis B and C viruses, which are both associated with hepatic cancer.35 Internationally, liver cancer is the fifth commonest cancer in the world, accounting for 5% of cancers in both sexes.36 Vaccination is available for hepatitis B in some European countries, but in the UK it is currently restricted to health workers, including medical students and those in high-risk occupations.

Screening for women at midlife: we need to remain vigilant

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Published in Climacteric, 2018

Robin J. Bell

About one-third of deaths from cancer are attributable to five behavioral risk factors: tobacco use, high body mass index, low fruit and vegetable intake, lack of physical activity and alcohol consumption2. The proportion of cancer which is potentially preventable is even greater if we include vaccination for infectious causes of cancer including human papilloma virus (HPV) and hepatitis B2. In relation to breast cancer specifically, the proportion of disease which is potentially preventable may be as high as two-thirds if a risk minimization approach is taken from childhood5.

Infectious causes of cancer

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Preventing cancer

Screening for women at midlife: we need to remain vigilant