In 2002, the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer estimated that 17.8% of all human cancers were caused by infection. Of these, 11.9% were caused by one of seven viruses. A 2020 study of 2,658 samples of 38 types of cancer found that 16% were caused by a virus. Because cancer is a viral disease, some types can be prevented or diagnosed with simple blood tests. And some types can even be treated with less-toxic antivirals.
Although some forms of cancer are contagious, it cannot be transmitted through sex. This is despite the fact that HPV is an STD. The HPV virus causes cervical cancer in women, while in men, HPV infection can cause penile cancer. HPV infection can also cause cancers of the anus, throat, and mouth in both sexes. In spite of this, cancer is not contagious in the conventional sense.
In addition, it is also important to note that some viruses cause long-term problems. For example, pancreatic cancer can take years to develop before any symptoms become apparent. Viruses are believed to be responsible for up to 10% of all cancer cases worldwide. Because they usually affect developing countries, most cases are found in low-income areas. And most of these cancers are slow to manifest and may take years to develop. In addition, they are comprised of genetic material enclosed within a protein coat.
In addition to the spread of the disease, cancer can affect various areas of the body. It can affect bone and blood cells, and X-rays and radiation treatments may affect the immune system. The symptoms of blood cancer include fever, joint pain, and bleeding from the mouth. It can also increase the size of the lymph nodes and spleen. Some people experience difficulty breathing, weakness on one side, or even anemia. Finally, cancer can spread throughout the body and may result in metastatic disease.
Although there is no direct link between cancer and viruses, scientists have identified several viruses that contribute to cancer. The human papillomavirus, for example, can cause cervical cancer and a variety of other types of cancer. Another virus, hepatitis C, can cause liver cancer, as can the HIV and hepatitis B viruses. While scientists still don’t know exactly how the virus causes cancer, they do know that cancer can be prevented.
In fact, it is the human papillomavirus (HPV) that is most likely to cause cancer. Because it has a remarkably large genome, the virus can affect the genes of your body in many ways. The HPV gene, for example, disrupts the open reading frame in human cells, leading to overexpression of two viral oncogenes. This disruption inhibits the expression of p53, the tumor suppressor protein, and retinoblastoma proteins. In the end, this can cause cancer.
Some studies suggest that HIV is linked to a higher risk of some types of cancer, including cervical cancer and certain types of non-Hodkin lymphoma. It is also associated with the development of certain types of lung cancer. While the cause of HIV is still unknown, it has been linked with an increased risk of some types of cancer. However, this doesn’t mean that HIV is a virus, as many researchers have shown.
