13% of cancer cases are caused by an infection

2024-10-11 16:25:00, Shëndeti CNA

13% of global cancer cases are attributed to a bacterial or viral infection. This is stated by a report of the American Association for Cancer Research, which, however, also sends a message of hope.

Knowing the pathogens capable of causing an infection that can degenerate into a tumor means having the opportunity to prevent contagion or treat diseases before they cause chronic situations. Among the infections responsible for this important part of cancer cases are actually four very common infections.

Hepatitis B and C

Both viruses cause inflammation of liver cells, which, at a chronic level, leads to an accumulation of cicatricial tissue in this organ: this is cirrhosis, an important risk factor for liver cancer. The HBV virus, which causes hepatitis B, is transmitted through sexual contact or infected blood and can be passed from mother to child at birth.

As a rule, for adults the infection is acute, that is, sudden and short-lived. But sometimes, and especially in children who become infected, it can become chronic and without visible symptoms.

The longer you live with the virus, the greater the risk of developing cancer: that's why it's important for pregnant women to get tested (a simple blood test).

There is a very effective vaccine against hepatitis B which is administered in three doses and is one of the mandatory vaccines that newborns up to one year of age must receive.

Those suffering from acute infection may be treated with antiviral drugs and sometimes interferon to help the immune system activate against the virus.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is also mainly transmitted through infected blood (for example by sharing needles with a carrier of the virus) and usually does not cause symptoms.

The chronic virus is thought to be responsible for one in four forms of liver cancer. The infection can disappear in 8 weeks with antiviral drugs which in Italy have been passed by the National Health Service.

The Ministry of Health has also promoted a hepatitis C screening campaign targeting those born between 1969 and 1989, in which, for example, the Lombardy Region has joined.

Helicobacter pylori

Half of the world's population is thought to be infected with Helicobacter pylori, a bacterium found in saliva, dental plaque and feces that colonizes the stomach lining and can cause gastritis and stomach ulcers.

Once identified, it is treated with antibiotic therapy. This prevents it from causing chronic inflammation, which in 1-3% of infection cases can lead to the development of stomach cancer./ CNA