One in six cancers worldwide caused by infections that can be prevented or treated.  Let’s take a look at some of the most common infections that could lead to cancer.

1.       H.Pylori and gastric cancer:

H. Pylori is a bacteria that results in ulcers of the stomach or early small intestines, specifically the duodenum. While most people who have the bacteria don’t have any symptoms but in some the bacteria can result in ulcers, and with continuous irritation, cancer. Symptoms of H. pylori infection include pain in the upper belly, bloating, feeling full quickly, decreased appetite, nausea or vomiting. 

The gold stand for therapy is triple therapy for 7 to 14 days consisting of a proton pump inhibitor, Amoxicillin and Clarithromycin. Treatment is essential since if the infection is left untreated, it can cause long term changes to the lining of your stomach increasing your risk of gastric cancer.  H. pylori is also associated with a type of lymphoma, the risk of which increases 6 times if you are infected with the bacteria.  This is the only cancer that, when localized, is treated and cured by antibiotics.

2.       Hepatitis and Liver Cancer

While there are several causes of Hepatitis, two viral etiologies are associated with an increased risk of cancer, Hepatitis B and C.  Both viruses are spread by blood-to-blood contact, which can happen through dirty needles, IV drug users, tattooing, or blood transfusion prior to screening.  Hepatitis B is also spread through additional body fluids, such as, vaginal fluids or semen.

While some people are able to clear the infection others develop a chronic form of the illness, which can eventually develop in to cancer, specifically Hepatocellular carcinoma.  20% of these liver cases are due to chronic viral hepatitis.  Unfortunately there are no good treatments for this type of liver cancer, although surgical intervention can offer a cure for some.

3.       HPV and cervical cancer

The Human papilloma virus is a sexually transmitted infection that is the most common cause of cervical cancer.  While in most the immune system is able to prevent the virus from doing any damage, in a select few, the virus can lead normal cells on the surface of the cervix to develop into cancerous ones. 

There is a gradual process of transition from normal to cancer cell, and Pap smears are used to detect precancerous changes before invasive cancer develops.  The HPV vaccine offer protection against two strains that most commonly cause cancer, while protecting against two other strains that are responsible for genital warts.