Millions of cancer cases are linked to 5 common infections: study
It’s impossible to predict exactly who will and who won’t get cancer — but there are certainly factors that we know increase our risk, like family history and smoking.Also upping your odds? Certain illnesses.And they account for more cancer cases than you might think.A new study published in “The Lancet Oncology” suggests that a staggering 2.3 million new cancer cases around the world in 2024 — or 12% of all new cancer cases — can be attributed to infectious diseases.These are extremely common diseases — one affecting 90% of people around the world — that are contributing to cancer development.
The good news is that we can take action to avoid all of these infections.“Our findings highlight the importance of infection control to achieve cancer prevention,” the researchers from the International Agency for Research on Cancer in Lyon, France, wrote.This includes vaccination, scanning, testing and treatment, safe injection and sex practices.Here’s what researchers found.An estimated 760,000 or 4% of all cancer cases in 2024 could be traced back to the stomach bug Helicobacter pylori, the new study found.More than half the people in the world may get an H.
pylori infection in their life.It spreads through contact with an infected person’s saliva, vomit or stool — or through contaminated surfaces, food and water.For many people, the bacteria doesn’t cause any symptoms, but it can cause swelling of the stomach lining or peptic ulcer (an open sore on the stomach lining).
This can cause burning pain, upset stomach, burping, bloating, and loss of appetite and weight loss.This long term inflammation and toxins from bacteria can damage cells, leading to stomach cancer.To avoid H.pylori, wash your hands, eat food that’s been prepared and cooked in a clean space, and if you or someone in your household gets infected, finish prescribed antibiotics.Human papillomavirus (HPV) accounts for 750,000 new cancer cases globally.
It causes almost all ...