One in Eight Cancers Worldwide Linked to Infections, WHO Agency Warns

About one in every eight cancer cases diagnosed worldwide is linked to an infectious disease, according to an estimate from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), the cancer research arm of the World Health Organization (WHO). The finding underscores a frequently overlooked dimension of cancer prevention: that a significant share of the global cancer burden does not stem from genetics or lifestyle factors alone, but from infections that are, in many cases, preventable or treatable. **Which infections are involved?** The infections most commonly associated with cancer include: - **Human papillomavirus (HPV)** — the leading infectious cause of cancer globally, responsible for the vast majority of cervical cancer cases, as well as cancers of the throat, anus, and genitals. - **Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori)** — a bacterial infection of the stomach lining strongly linked to stomach cancer. - **Hepatitis B and C viruses** — chronic infections that significantly raise the risk of liver cancer. - **Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)** — associated with certain lymphomas and nasopharyngeal cancers. Many of these infections are either vaccine-preventable (HPV, Hepatitis B) or detectable and treatable before they progress to cancer. **Why this matters for Mauritius** In Mauritius, cancer is among the leading causes of death. The Ministry of Health and Wellness has in recent years expanded screening programmes, including cervical cancer screening, and the HPV vaccine has been part of the national immunisation schedule for schoolgirls. Liver disease linked to Hepatitis B also remains a public health concern on the island. The IARC estimate reinforces the case for investing in vaccination, early screening, and antibiotic treatment programmes — all of which can interrupt the pathway from infection to cancer. H. pylori, for instance, is highly prevalent in many populations and can be eradicated with a standard course of antibiotics. Stomach cancer, which it drives, is far harder and more expensive to treat once diagnosed at a late stage. **What this means** For individuals, the message is practical: staying up to date on vaccinations (particularly HPV and Hepatitis B), attending regular health screenings, and seeking treatment for known infections such as H. pylori are all evidence-based steps that reduce cancer risk. For health policymakers in Mauritius and beyond, the data strengthens the argument that cancer prevention is not only a clinical issue but an infectious disease and public health priority — one where early investment in vaccines and screening delivers long-term savings in treatment costs and lives. The IARC, based in Lyon, France, is widely regarded as the world's leading authority on cancer epidemiology and research. Source: Le Défi Media