Common virus that causes mono raises cancer risks 5-fold, study warns
Most people around the world have been infected with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) at some point in their lives. It spreads easily through saliva and other bodily fluids and does not usually cause symptoms, but it can lead to mononucleosis, also known as 'mono' or 'the kissing disease'.
Scientists already knew that EBV, which stays in the body forever, can cause certain cancers, such as lymphomas and a rare form of throat cancer. But until now, there has been little data on the broader health risks.
The new study, which was published in the journal Nature Communications, found that the virus puts people at higher risk for additional cancers, years before they are diagnosed.
Researchers tracked nearly 74,000 people in southern China for eight to 10 years, identifying 1,990 cancer cases. They also tested whether people had EBV antibodies, which are proteins that fight off infections and are stored in the body, serving as a sign that someone has had the virus.
People with EBV antibodies were about five times as likely to develop cancer compared with people who did not have them, according to the study from the WHO's International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and research centres in China.
The higher the level of antibodies, the higher the cancer risk.
The findings will help scientists 'understand the link between [EBV infection] and the risk of various cancer types,' said Dr Zisis Kozlakidis, one of the study's co-authors and head of IARC's laboratory support, biobanking, and services unit.
The risks were highest for nasopharyngeal cancer, which is a rare cancer that affects the part of the throat that connects the back of the nose to the back of the mouth. People who had EBV were 26 times as likely to develop this form of cancer than those who were not infected.
Meanwhile, EBV antibodies were also tied to an elevated risk of developing lung cancer, liver cancer, and lymphomas, which are a group of blood cancers.
The study had some limitations. The results may not translate directly to different demographic groups, for example, and other risk factors, such as smoking rates, could have affected the findings.
Even so, researchers said the findings shed new light on cancer-causing viruses such as EBV. They called for more investigation into how exactly the virus causes cancer.
Most people who have had mono will not develop cancer because of EBV, but the virus can cause genetic changes in cells that make them more likely to become cancerous.
Health experts say that if people know their risks, they can watch out for signs of cancers that may be linked to the virus.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Sustainability Times
2 days ago
- Sustainability Times
'Stop Stomach Cancer Now': This Game-Changing H. Pylori Treatment Could Be the Lifesaving Answer You've Been Waiting For
IN A NUTSHELL 🔍 Screening and treating Helicobacter pylori infections could prevent up to 75% of future stomach cancer cases. and treating infections could prevent up to 75% of future stomach cancer cases. 📈 The study projects 15.6 million new gastric cancer cases globally, with Asia bearing the highest burden. 💊 Cost-effective prevention strategies, similar to vaccination campaigns, can significantly reduce the global incidence of stomach cancer. 🌍 Tailored interventions for different income regions are crucial for effective implementation and success. Stomach cancer, a formidable health challenge, has alarmingly risen among young adults worldwide, becoming a pressing issue that warrants immediate attention. Recent research has highlighted a promising preventive measure: the targeted treatment of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infections. This bacterium is a significant risk factor for gastric cancer, yet it is preventable and treatable. The study underscores the potential of screening and treating H. pylori infections to avert the majority of future stomach cancer cases, offering hope in the fight against this deadly disease. Understanding the Rise of Stomach Cancer The global incidence of stomach cancer has seen a disturbing increase, particularly among individuals under the age of 50. This trend has been linked to chronic infections with H. pylori, the most potent known risk factor for the disease. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), has conducted extensive research to project future trends in stomach cancer incidence. Their findings reveal that if current prevention and treatment strategies remain unchanged, around 15.6 million new cases of gastric cancer will emerge among those born between 2008 and 2017. The research highlights that a staggering 76% of these cases are attributable to H. pylori infections, suggesting that they are potentially preventable. Alarmingly, the burden is expected to be highest in Asia, with 10.6 million cases, followed by the Americas and Africa. This data underscores the urgent need for effective public health interventions to address this rising health threat. Cold Plunges Are a Scam for Women and Science Just Dropped the Mic on This Freezing Hot Fitness Fad The Role of H. Pylori in Gastric Cancer Helicobacter pylori is a bacterium that colonizes the stomach lining, leading to chronic inflammation and increasing the risk of developing stomach cancer. Despite being a major health concern, H. pylori is a preventable risk factor. The standard treatment involves antibiotics combined with proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), which reduce stomach acid production, effectively targeting the infection. Given its significant role in gastric cancer, addressing H. pylori infections presents a viable strategy to curb the disease's incidence. The study suggests that comprehensive screening and treatment programs could potentially reduce stomach cancer cases by up to 75%. Even partially effective programs, achieving 80% to 90% efficacy, could prevent 60% to 68% of cases, demonstrating the immense potential of such interventions. « This brewing habit could silently hurt you »: these common coffee preparation methods directly linked to increased heart disease risk Implementing Effective Prevention Strategies The implementation of a H. pylori screening and treatment program requires strategic planning and investment. Researchers advocate for population-based interventions, tailored to the economic realities of different regions. In high-income countries, endoscopy-based screening and insurance-supported treatments could be effective, while in lower-income regions, population-level screening and early treatment could be more feasible and impactful. These strategies are cost-effective, akin to vaccination campaigns for HPV or hepatitis B, and could significantly reduce the global burden of stomach cancer. The study stresses the importance of developing an H. pylori vaccine, which could further revolutionize prevention efforts, offering a long-term solution to this global health challenge. 'Your Breath Is a Signature': Scientists Reveal Human Breath Is as Unique and Traceable as a Fingerprint Addressing Challenges and Moving Forward Despite the promising nature of the findings, the study acknowledges several limitations. Many low-income countries lack comprehensive cancer registries, potentially leading to data underestimation. Moreover, assumptions about the constancy of H. pylori prevalence and cancer incidence rates could affect the accuracy of projections. Nonetheless, the research provides a compelling case for increased investment in gastric cancer prevention. By prioritizing the eradication of H. pylori, public health systems can significantly reduce the incidence of stomach cancer. The study advocates for targeted, evidence-based interventions that consider demographic trends and regional disparities. As scientists and policymakers collaborate to tackle this issue, the potential to save millions of lives becomes increasingly tangible. The fight against stomach cancer is a global health priority, particularly as it increasingly affects younger populations. By focusing on effective prevention strategies, such as the treatment and eradication of H. pylori, we can pave the way for a healthier future. What further innovations and collaborations might emerge in the quest to combat this deadly disease? This article is based on verified sources and supported by editorial technologies. Did you like it? 4.3/5 (25)
Euronews
2 days ago
- Euronews
US measles cases reach 33-year high
The United States is having its worst year for measles spread in more than three decades. The national case count reached 1,288 on Wednesday, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), though public health experts say the true figure may be higher. The CDC's count is 14 infections higher than 2019, when the US almost lost its status of having eliminated the vaccine-preventable illness – something that could happen this year if the virus spreads without stopping for 12 months. But the US is still far from 1991, when there were 9,643 confirmed cases. In a short statement, the federal government said that the CDC 'continues to recommend (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccines as the best way to protect against measles'. It also said it is 'supporting community efforts' to tamp down ongoing outbreaks as requested. Fourteen states have active outbreaks; four other states' outbreaks have ended. The largest outbreak started five months ago in undervaccinated communities in West Texas. Three people have died – two children in Texas and an adult in New Mexico – and dozens of people have been hospitalized across the US. 'What concerned me early on in this outbreak was is it spreading to other parts of the United States, and that's definitely what's happening now,' said Katherine Wells, the public health director from Lubbock County in Texas. In 2000, the World Health Organization (WHO) and CDC said measles had been eliminated from the US. But continuing vaccine hesitancy could threaten that status. 'What we're seeing with measles is a little bit of a 'canary in a coal mine,'' said Lauren Gardner, leader of Johns Hopkins University's independent measles and COVID-19 tracking databases. 'It's indicative of a problem that we know exists with vaccination attitudes in this county and just, I think, likely to get worse'.
Euronews
3 days ago
- Euronews
Common virus that causes mono raises cancer risks 5-fold, study warns
One of the world's most common viruses appears to significantly raise the risk of cancer, according to a new study from the World Health Organization's (WHO) cancer research agency. Most people around the world have been infected with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) at some point in their lives. It spreads easily through saliva and other bodily fluids and does not usually cause symptoms, but it can lead to mononucleosis, also known as 'mono' or 'the kissing disease'. Scientists already knew that EBV, which stays in the body forever, can cause certain cancers, such as lymphomas and a rare form of throat cancer. But until now, there has been little data on the broader health risks. The new study, which was published in the journal Nature Communications, found that the virus puts people at higher risk for additional cancers, years before they are diagnosed. Researchers tracked nearly 74,000 people in southern China for eight to 10 years, identifying 1,990 cancer cases. They also tested whether people had EBV antibodies, which are proteins that fight off infections and are stored in the body, serving as a sign that someone has had the virus. People with EBV antibodies were about five times as likely to develop cancer compared with people who did not have them, according to the study from the WHO's International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and research centres in China. The higher the level of antibodies, the higher the cancer risk. The findings will help scientists 'understand the link between [EBV infection] and the risk of various cancer types,' said Dr Zisis Kozlakidis, one of the study's co-authors and head of IARC's laboratory support, biobanking, and services unit. The risks were highest for nasopharyngeal cancer, which is a rare cancer that affects the part of the throat that connects the back of the nose to the back of the mouth. People who had EBV were 26 times as likely to develop this form of cancer than those who were not infected. Meanwhile, EBV antibodies were also tied to an elevated risk of developing lung cancer, liver cancer, and lymphomas, which are a group of blood cancers. The study had some limitations. The results may not translate directly to different demographic groups, for example, and other risk factors, such as smoking rates, could have affected the findings. Even so, researchers said the findings shed new light on cancer-causing viruses such as EBV. They called for more investigation into how exactly the virus causes cancer. Most people who have had mono will not develop cancer because of EBV, but the virus can cause genetic changes in cells that make them more likely to become cancerous. Health experts say that if people know their risks, they can watch out for signs of cancers that may be linked to the virus.
