1 out of 5 cancer cases worldwide are caused by infection

[Waverunner]

I'm just listening to the new TWiV episode (160 - Moore tumor viruses). It's really interesting. 1 out of 5 cancer cases worldwide are caused by infection, especially in immunodeficient persons. The bulk of the tumor mass is created through non proliferating viruses. Lack of replication is a key component of tumorgenesis. There are 7 known tumor viruses and the leading cause of cancer in south-east Asia for Nasopharyngeal carcinoma for example is: EBV. Unfortunately this 1 in 5 number is not represented by the number of people working on these infections in the field of oncology. I think we encounter this problem when we look at most viruses in general. There is not enough research and there is a lack of knowledge in the medical field.

http://www.virology.ws/2011/12/04/twiv-160-moore-tumor-viruses/

 

[Esther12]

Thanks.

I got in the habit of listening to that twiv for a while, but have fallen out of it recently. It was often interesting and entertaining though. I might give this one a listen.

 

[Waverunner]

This episode was very good. I never knew that infections have so much influence on cancer.

 

[Hip]

Unfortunately this 1 in 5 number is not represented by the number of people working on these infections in the field of oncology. I think we encounter this problem when we look at most viruses in general. There is not enough research and there is a lack of knowledge in the medical field.

I totally agree, Waverunner. The impact that common viruses, bacteria, etc, have on human health is vastly under researched. Though there are some leading-edge thinkers (like Paul W Ewald) that believe everyday pathogens will turn out to be the major cause of most common diseases.

So it's not just in the area of chronic fatigue syndrome that microbial causes are being ignored or under researched. Medical researchers need to wake up.

Here is a list of microbes that have been linked to common everyday human diseases:
List of Chronic Human Diseases Linked To Infectious Pathogens

 

[Waverunner]

Great list. There are so many chronic diseases which are connected to infection, I can't believe it.

 

[Abha]

Hi Hip,
I couldn't open the link you gave.How can I get around this?
Thanks

 

[Enid]

Must say I'm quite surprised only 1 in 5 cancer cases are caused by infection as the article states.

 

[Esther12]

That podcast was really long! 1hr 40.

It had a lot of interesting stuff in it... although made me feel less happy about having had glandular fever! EBV seems to get mentioned as a cause for every health problem ever.

 

[Waverunner]

Hi Hip,
I couldn't open the link you gave.How can I get around this?
Thanks

This should work: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_human_diseases_associated_with_infectious_pathogens

 

[Hip]

Must say I'm quite surprised only 1 in 5 cancer cases are caused by infection as the article states.

I think that means 1 in 5 cancers are proven to be caused by infectious pathogens. But in future, as more research is performed, it will probably be found that a much higher percentage of cancers is actually caused by infectious pathogens perhaps 2 of 3 three, or even higher.

Hi Hip, I couldn't open the link you gave.How can I get around this? Thanks

I've fixed the gremlin in the link now.