Are You At Risk? Cancer Experts Warn of Surging Rates in Contagious Cancers!
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The word 'cancer' often brings to mind images of a silent battle within one's body, a struggle against rogue cells that multiply unchecked. It's a personal fight, unique to each individual's genetic makeup and lifestyle choices. However, recent findings have turned this notion on its head, revealing a startling increase in cancers that can be transmitted between individuals, much like catching a cold or flu. This has set off alarm bells in the medical community, particularly among oncologists who are witnessing a worrying trend.
Traditionally, cancer is not considered a contagious disease. But a new report is shining a light on a group of cancers that are on the rise across America, and these are directly linked to infections, such as the human papillomavirus (HPV). While we've seen a stabilisation in the rates of major cancers like those of the lung, breast, and kidney, the same cannot be said for certain types associated with HPV.
The American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) has found that cervical cancer rates in individuals aged 30 to 34 have surged by 17.5 per cent from 2012 to 2019. Additionally, mouth and throat cancers caused by HPV are increasing across all age groups. These statistics are a stark reminder of the evolving nature of cancer risks and the importance of staying informed and proactive about prevention.
The story of Michael Douglas, who shared his experience with HPV and throat cancer on the Graham Norton Show in 2013, and the late Farrah Fawcett, who founded a program to fund research into HPV-related cancers, are poignant examples of the personal impact of these diseases. They also highlight the need for public awareness and education on the topic.
The AACR report cites a study from the International Journal of Gynecological Cancer, which found that cervical cancer rates in people under 45 have been increasing since the early 2010s. Experts are attributing this rise to a combination of factors, including the avoidance of the HPV vaccine and potentially more casual, unprotected sexual activity.
The HPV vaccine is a powerful tool in the fight against these cancers. It's recommended for girls and boys to start a course of three vaccines beginning around age 11. However, the uptake of the vaccine in the U.S. has been lagging, with only 38 per cent of American adolescents having received at least one dose as of 2022. This is in stark contrast to the UK and Australia, where 76 per cent and 84 per cent of children under 17, respectively, have received one or more vaccine doses.
The AACR report emphasises the 'critical importance of public health measures to boost cervical cancer prevention and early detection in the United States.' It's a call to action for deploying resources to raise public awareness of cancer prevention and to accelerate progress in reducing the global cancer burden.
By 2024, it's estimated that some 2 million cancers will be diagnosed in the U.S. HPV-related cancers, which affect the mouth, head, throat, cervix, and genitals, account for a significant portion of these cases. This represents about 11,500 new cases of cervical cancer and approximately 4,000 deaths from the disease annually.
Oral cancers linked to HPV, affecting both the throat and mouth, have also been on the rise. The American Cancer Society estimated that since the mid-2000s, all oral and throat cancer cases have increased by 1 per cent per year, mainly due to HPV. Some doctors suggest that oral sex could be a contributing factor, and there's speculation that the uptick in HPV-related cancers could be linked to riskier sexual behaviour, particularly in the aftermath of the pandemic.
HPV is a highly infectious sexually transmitted disease and is thought to be responsible for a significant percentage of cancers in men and women each year. It's associated with cervical, head, neck, throat, and anal cancers. The virus can be transmitted through contact with infected blood, bodily fluids, or skin, primarily through sexual activity.
There are over 200 different kinds of HPV infections, and 12 of them have been linked to cancer. The virus can cause cancer by weakening the immune system, causing chronic inflammation, and changing the way cells in the body behave, leading to the formation of cancerous masses. Nearly all cervical cancers are caused by HPV, as well as a majority of anal cancers and a significant portion of mouth, throat, penile, and vulvar cancers.
The HPV vaccine, approved by the FDA in 2006, is available for both boys and girls starting at age 11. Vaccination is thought to prevent nearly nine in 10 HPV-associated cancers. Studies from Sweden and Scotland have shown the profound impact of early vaccination programs, with Scotland reporting zero new cases of cervical cancer in a recent year due to their vaccination efforts.
As members of the Seniors Discount Club, it's crucial to stay informed about these developments, not just for our own health but for the well-being of our families and communities. Encouraging vaccination and safe practices among younger generations is a step we can all take to help curb the rise of these preventable cancers.
We invite you to share your thoughts and experiences on this topic. Have you or someone you know been affected by HPV-related cancers? What steps do you think can be taken to improve public awareness and vaccination rates? Join the conversation below, and let's work together to spread knowledge and support each other in the fight against cancer.
Traditionally, cancer is not considered a contagious disease. But a new report is shining a light on a group of cancers that are on the rise across America, and these are directly linked to infections, such as the human papillomavirus (HPV). While we've seen a stabilisation in the rates of major cancers like those of the lung, breast, and kidney, the same cannot be said for certain types associated with HPV.
Oncologists warn of rising cancers linked to STDs like HPV in America. Credit: Shutterstock
The American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) has found that cervical cancer rates in individuals aged 30 to 34 have surged by 17.5 per cent from 2012 to 2019. Additionally, mouth and throat cancers caused by HPV are increasing across all age groups. These statistics are a stark reminder of the evolving nature of cancer risks and the importance of staying informed and proactive about prevention.
The story of Michael Douglas, who shared his experience with HPV and throat cancer on the Graham Norton Show in 2013, and the late Farrah Fawcett, who founded a program to fund research into HPV-related cancers, are poignant examples of the personal impact of these diseases. They also highlight the need for public awareness and education on the topic.
The AACR report cites a study from the International Journal of Gynecological Cancer, which found that cervical cancer rates in people under 45 have been increasing since the early 2010s. Experts are attributing this rise to a combination of factors, including the avoidance of the HPV vaccine and potentially more casual, unprotected sexual activity.
The HPV vaccine is a powerful tool in the fight against these cancers. It's recommended for girls and boys to start a course of three vaccines beginning around age 11. However, the uptake of the vaccine in the U.S. has been lagging, with only 38 per cent of American adolescents having received at least one dose as of 2022. This is in stark contrast to the UK and Australia, where 76 per cent and 84 per cent of children under 17, respectively, have received one or more vaccine doses.
The AACR report emphasises the 'critical importance of public health measures to boost cervical cancer prevention and early detection in the United States.' It's a call to action for deploying resources to raise public awareness of cancer prevention and to accelerate progress in reducing the global cancer burden.
By 2024, it's estimated that some 2 million cancers will be diagnosed in the U.S. HPV-related cancers, which affect the mouth, head, throat, cervix, and genitals, account for a significant portion of these cases. This represents about 11,500 new cases of cervical cancer and approximately 4,000 deaths from the disease annually.
Oral cancers linked to HPV, affecting both the throat and mouth, have also been on the rise. The American Cancer Society estimated that since the mid-2000s, all oral and throat cancer cases have increased by 1 per cent per year, mainly due to HPV. Some doctors suggest that oral sex could be a contributing factor, and there's speculation that the uptick in HPV-related cancers could be linked to riskier sexual behaviour, particularly in the aftermath of the pandemic.
HPV is a highly infectious sexually transmitted disease and is thought to be responsible for a significant percentage of cancers in men and women each year. It's associated with cervical, head, neck, throat, and anal cancers. The virus can be transmitted through contact with infected blood, bodily fluids, or skin, primarily through sexual activity.
There are over 200 different kinds of HPV infections, and 12 of them have been linked to cancer. The virus can cause cancer by weakening the immune system, causing chronic inflammation, and changing the way cells in the body behave, leading to the formation of cancerous masses. Nearly all cervical cancers are caused by HPV, as well as a majority of anal cancers and a significant portion of mouth, throat, penile, and vulvar cancers.
The HPV vaccine, approved by the FDA in 2006, is available for both boys and girls starting at age 11. Vaccination is thought to prevent nearly nine in 10 HPV-associated cancers. Studies from Sweden and Scotland have shown the profound impact of early vaccination programs, with Scotland reporting zero new cases of cervical cancer in a recent year due to their vaccination efforts.
As members of the Seniors Discount Club, it's crucial to stay informed about these developments, not just for our own health but for the well-being of our families and communities. Encouraging vaccination and safe practices among younger generations is a step we can all take to help curb the rise of these preventable cancers.
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