Post Title.

Interesting research from the Lancet via Medscape Hematology-Oncology > Markman on Oncology
Kill Infection, Prevent Cancer
Maurie Markman, MD   
 Authors and Disclosures

 Posted: 07/18/2012 on Medscape News--Public Health & Prevention http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/767412?src=mp&spon=38  Copywritten, Use with credit to them.
 
By Dr. Maurie Markman from Cancer Treatment Centers of America in
Philadelphia. "I wanted to briefly discuss a very interesting -- and what I
believe to be a very important -- paper that appeared in a recent issue of
Lancet Oncology.  (subscription needed to read it)

 The paper, entitled "Global Burden of Cancers Attributable to Infections in
2008: A Review and Synthetic Analysis," was a rather comprehensive review of the
13 million new cases of cancer that occurred worldwide in 2008, with the
specific idea of determining or estimating the percentage of these cases that
might have been caused initially by viral infections, bacteria, or parasites. Of
course, the major goal of such an effort would be to identify factors that, if
treated successfully, could have prevented such cancers.

 This review identified, in the opinion of the authors, approximately 2
million cases of cancers caused by these varieties of infections worldwide. As
one might anticipate, in certain areas of the world, particularly the less
developed areas, a higher percentage of cancer cases were felt to be
attributable to such infections -- as many as a third. But even in North
America, it was estimated that approximately 4% of cancers were caused by these
infectious diseases. I think this is a very important paper. It is very well
done and clearly identifies a very important public health issue.

 Prevention of cancer is clearly a very cost-effective way of dealing with the
enormous global burden that we see currently and are certainly going to see in
the future. If cancers can be prevented by vaccination and by treatment of
infectious diseases, this is a very important strategy. I think the paper that
appeared in Lancet Oncology really addresses this question and should be
read by oncologists, general physicians, and certainly those involved in making
public-policy decisions regarding funding for cancer and cancer prevention. I
encourage you to read this important paper."

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