While scientists are continuing their work on the battle against cancer by looking for treatments, new research is suggesting that as many as one in six cases of cancer are a result of infections. And they were either preventable or treatable.
A report to be published in Lancet Oncology suggests that, of the 7.5 million deaths from cancer worldwide in 2008, an estimated 1.5 million were due to potentially preventable or treatable infections. According to Catherine de Martel, one of the researchers:
"Infections with certain viruses, bacteria, and parasites are one of the biggest and preventable causes of cancer worldwide…Application of existing public-health methods for infection prevention, such as vaccination, safer injection practice, or antimicrobial treatments, could have a substantial effect on future burden of cancer worldwide."
The study was carried out at the International Agency for Research on Cancer, and studied international data for 27 cancers in 184 countries in order to identify the factors that contribute to the development of the disease. The results suggest 16 percent of all cancers are a result of infections. Scientists point out that infections such as human papillomaviruses (HPV), Helicobacter pylori and hepatitis B and C as the main culprits behind the onset of cancer, and the four mainly lead to gastric, liver and cervical cancers.
Prevention is always better than the cure. Go check yourself up today just to be safe.
[Lancet Oncology]
