Infectious agents are an important cause of cancer, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, which have limited ability to manage the disease; therefore, prevention is a priority. ● The bacterium Helicobacter pylori was estimated to be responsible for about 810 000 new cancer cases in 2018, including 89% of non-cardia gastric cancers (760 000 cases), 74% of gastric non-Hodgkin lymphoma (22 000 cases) and 29% of cardia gastric cancers in East Asia (36 000 cases). Treatment by a combination of anti-microbial drugs is potentially preventive. ● Thirteen sexually transmitted mucosal human papillomavirus subtypes are established human carcinogens. Together, they are responsible for all cervical cancer cases globally (570 000 cases) and a variable proportion of cases of other anogenital and oropharyngeal cancers (totalling 120 000 cases). Vaccination against human papillomaviruses occurs in more than 80 countries. ● Chronic infection with hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus resulted in about 360 000 cases and 140 000 cases, respectively, of hepatocellular carcinoma in 2018, amounting to about 76% of all cases of hepatocellular carcinoma. Preventive vaccines against hepatitis B virus have been available since 1982, and direct-acting antiviral agents have the potential to cure more than 95% of people with hepatitis C virus infection.
CORE (COnnecting REpositories)
CORE (COnnecting REpositories)