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# Bacteria, viruses and cancers
- URL: https://www.foodconsumer.org/bacteria_viruses_and_cancers_0901160955/
- Published: 2016-09-01T10:54:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-22T16:02:03.000Z
- Description: A Lancet Global Health report attributes about 15% of cancers worldwide in 2012, some 2.2 million cases, to infectious agents, led by Helicobacter pylori at 770,000 cases, HPV at 640,000 and hepatitis B at 420,000. In parts of sub-Saharan Africa the share tops 50%.
- Author: Food Consumer
- Tags: Cancer, Avoiding Illness, #vivvo-import

Thursday Sept 1, 2016 (foodconsumer.org) -- It has been now clear that certain bacteria, viruses, parasites or even fungi may increase risk of various cancers. A report released in the Lancet Global Health says that about 15% of all cancer cases or 2.2 million cases worldwide are caused by bacteria or viruses.

According to the report, in 2012, the most common infectious agents that together account for 15.2% of total cancer cases worldwide are helicobacter pylori (770,000 cases), human papillomavirus (640,000), hepatitis B virus (420,000), hepatitis C virus (170,000) and Epstein-Barr virus (120,000). 

Infectious agents are less a threatening risk factor than others in Western countries as fewer people in those countries get infected with these carcinogenic microbes. But in some countries in sub-Saharan Africa, over 50% of cancer cases are attributable to microbial infections.

[Helicobacter pylori](https://www.foodconsumer.org/garlic%5Fprevents%5Fgastric%5Fcancer%5F0331151042/) are most commonly seen in Asia where an estimated 50% of the population is expected to get or have been infected with this bacterium. The bacteria can cause stomach cancer. Unlike viral infections, in many cases, the bacteria long live in the host's stomach. To reduce the risk of stomach induced by these bacteria, one can either take a combination of antibiotics to eliminate the bacteria from the stomach or avoid using high salt and highly salted foods.

[Human papillomavirus](https://www.foodconsumer.org/hpv%5Finfections%5F1029140112/) is fairly common in people who have multiple sexual partners. It is in most cases transmitted through sexual encounters. This virus can increase risk of ovarian cancer in women but does not pose any significant threat to men. In most cases, people can get rid of the virus without any treatment. HPV vaccine is available for those who want to get shots to reduce the risk of the cancer even though some people question its safety and necessity. Maintaining a healthy nutrition status can boost immunity against this and other viruses.

[Hepatitis B](https://www.foodconsumer.org/vitamin%5Fd%5Fhepatitis%5Fb%5F0728150904/) and [hepatitis C](https://www.foodconsumer.org/dietary%5Fsupplements%5Ffight%5Fhepatitis%5Fc%5Fvirus%5F1203130521/) can increase risk of liver cancer. Like other viral infections, most people can naturally produce antibodies to neutralize these viruses, particularly hepatitis B. Carrying these viruses can cause long-lasting damage to the liver tissue and increase risk of liver cancer. These viruses are transmitted through body fluids so sexual contact can be a route for transmitting these viruses. One good way to reduce risk of liver cancer in people carrying either or both viruses is to avoid eating animal foods particularly dairy products. Research shows that at least hepatitis B virus could not do much to damage the liver in people who do not eat animal proteins.

[Epstein-Barr virus](https://www.foodconsumer.org/epstein-barr%5Fvirus%5Fmay%5Fcause%5Fbreast%5Fcancer%5F0622160644/) is not as well-known as other viruses. It has been known though that this virus can cause breast cancer. Like other viral infections, this virus in many cases can be naturally eliminated. However, it is not known what a carrier with this virus can do to lower risk of breast cancer. Because this virus like others causes inflammation, anything that can prevent or reduce inflammation may help lower the risk of cancer induced by Epstein-Barr virus. (David Liu)

*Dr Martyn Plummer, PhD, Catherine de Martel, Jerome Vignat, MSc, Jacques Ferlay, Freddie Bray, Silvia Franceschi, Global burden of cancers attributable to infections in 2012: a synthetic analysis, Infection-related cancers: prioritising an important and eliminable contributor to the global cancer burden, The Lancet Global Health, Volume 4, Issue 9, September 2016, Pages e580-e581*