These germs can cause cancer - how to protect yourself

Germs as a cause of cancer - Many diseases preventable

Health experts like to point out that the risk of cancer can be significantly reduced by refraining from smoking, not drinking too much alcohol, eating little meat, moving regularly and avoiding excess weight. But cancer can also be triggered by certain bacteria and viruses. Therefore, it is important to protect yourself from the germs.

Bacteria and viruses can cause cancer

Experts point out how important it is to maintain a healthy lifestyle to reduce your personal cancer risk. In most cases smoking, alcohol, high meat consumption, overweight or obesity and lack of exercise are identified as typical risk factors that should be avoided. But some bacteria and viruses can cause cancer.

The fact that factors such as tobacco consumption, alcohol, obesity and lack of exercise increase the risk of cancer is well known to many. But certain bacteria and viruses can cause cancer. (Image: Minerva Studio / fotolia.com)

Prevent illness

When it comes to cancer prevention measures, it is above all the fight against smoking. Another way to reduce your personal cancer risk is to limit your alcohol intake.

Because alcohol can trigger seven different variants of cancer, according to scientific findings.

Furthermore, it is recommended to pay attention to a healthy diet, to refrain from certain meat products such as cured sausages and to avoid overweight. The latter, according to a recent study, increases the risks of 11 cancer diseases.

Even a physically active life can prevent cancerous diseases.

What is often overlooked in cancer prevention: Every year, millions of cancers worldwide are caused by infections with viruses or bacteria. Many of these diseases could be avoided.

These four germs can cause cancer

According to a research team from the International Agency for Research on Cancer - an institution of the World Health Organization (WHO) - around two million cancers worldwide are due to infections each year.

The scientists around Martyn Plummer resorted to the global cancer database Globocan for their work.

"Infections with certain viruses, bacteria and parasites are one of the biggest and preventable causes of cancer worldwide," the researchers said.

The most important preventable causes of infections that can lead to the formation of tumors, the experts called bacteria from the genus of Helicobacter pylori, hepatitis B and C viruses and human papilloma viruses (HPV).

Helicobacter pylori promote gastric cancer

According to health experts, infections with the stomach bacterium Helicobacter pylori are widespread and are considered to be the most important risk factor for gastric cancer.

However, it has long been unclear why this is so. Only recently, German researchers reported why Helicobacter pylori leads to gastric cancer.

According to the scientists, the number of cells with stem cell potential increases under the influence of the bacterium and with them the risk of a pathological change.

The first sign of infection with the bacterium is often acute gastritis. Physicians advise patients who repeatedly suffer from such gastritis, to a combined therapy of antibiotics and gastric acid inhibitors. This also reduces the risk of cancer.

However, some experts advise against long-term use of such medications.

Vaccine for cancer prevention

Also widespread are the human papillomavirus (HPV). The pathogens usually pass through sexual intercourse in the skin or mucous membrane. In most cases, an infection goes unnoticed and heals on its own.

However, some of the viruses also persist, causing cell changes that can develop into a malignant tumor over time.

Since HPV can trigger cervical cancer, among other things, the vaccine against the viruses in girls and young women is relatively common.

The Standing Vaccination Commission (STIKO) recommends the HPV vaccine for girls as young as 9 years old, with the aim of significantly reducing the number of cervical cancer cases in the future.

According to some experts, it is also effective for boys and protects against, among other things, genital warts and precursors of penis and anal cancer.

Second most common cause of cancer death

According to health experts, liver cancer is the second most common cause of cancer death worldwide and the fastest growing incidence of cancer.

In addition to high alcohol consumption, infections with hepatitis viruses B and C rank second among all liver cancer causes.

The C virus can also increase the risk of pancreatic cancer, colorectal cancer and kidney cancer.

Many diseases can be avoided, because hepatitis C can almost always be cured. Unfortunately, many patients do not know about their liver inflammation.

There is currently no vaccine available for hepatitis C, but very well for hepatitis B. The World Health Organization (WHO) and other experts recommend the hepatitis B vaccine for all newborns. This could prevent many diseases. (Ad)