A recent report from the American Association for Cancer Research published a report in 2024 stating that 13% of all cancer cases globally are caused by infections. But the good news? Many of those infections can be avoided with vaccinations or treating infections. One of the doctors on the committee stated, “We are now close to turning what would have previously been some common cancers into rare diseases.”
So what are these cancers? And infections?
What Cancers May Be Caused By Infections?
- Cervical, oral, anal, and genital cancer. The cause? HPV. Human papillomavirus has over 200 variants, but about a dozen of them significantly increase your risk of cancer. About 10% of those with HPV variants will get a persistent infection. This causes the cells to turn over time —> cancer. This is why women do Pap smears. Condoms help protect against the HPV variant, but the best treatment? Vaccination.
- HPV Vaccinations should be done BEFORE exposure to HPV, which means we target young people. Adolescents starting around age 12 need 2-3 doses of the HPV vaccine. It can be done up to age 26. Some older adults may also choose to get the vaccine.
- Liver cancer. The cause? Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C. Both of these can be transmitted through contact with blood (dirty needles or blood exposure), sex, and other bodily fluids. In the US, Hep C is most frequently spread through IV drug use. Hep B is seen in East Asia (China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam) and in the US from babies who were infected via their mothers at birth.
- Hepatitis B vaccinations can be done at any age up to age 60. Since 1991, infants have been vaccinated for Hep B. For those who were not vaccinated but get it, there are some antiviral treatments and interferon treatments, which help your immune system fight the infection.
- Hepatitis C does not have a vaccine. But testing to see if you carry it is important, as there are now effective treatments for it. Extended exposure to the virus causes liver damage and causes a higher risk of liver cancer. Early treatment avoids that.
- Stomach cancer. The cause? A bacteria called H. Pylori. About 50% of the world’s population has H. pylori, found in saliva, the plaque on teeth, and in stool. Infections occur commonly in children and those in crowded living situations. Most people are asymptomatic. For for some, the infection causes chronic inflammation in the stomach lining. 1-3% of those people will develop stomach cancer.
- Avoid sharing food utensils, glasses, and toothbrushes.
- Wash your hands well with soap before eating or making food
- If you have stomach ulcers, stomach pain, or blood stools, get tested.
- H. pylori infections can be treated with antibiotics and acid reducing medications, which protect the stomach lining.
How Can Biohackr Health Help?
We do not vaccinate in our clinic. We blogged about this subject, as we think biohacking treatments focus on healthspan and we want you to be cancer-free. For those of you with children, get them vaccinated! To be able to reduce their risk to almost zero by vaccinating them is a no-brainer.
Education based in scientific data is important to us. We do offer genetic screening for cancer oncogenes (BRCA and 40+ others) and Galleri (a blood test to look for a current cancer, as cancer “sheds” into the blood stream).
