One in eight cancers are likely caused by an infection worldwide

One in eight cancers are likely caused by an infection worldwide – new study

the gist

A World Health Organization study published in The Lancet Oncology estimates that about 12 percent of cancer cases in 2024, around 2.3 million, were likely caused by infections. Most came from five pathogens: Helicobacter pylori and HPV at about 4 percent each, hepatitis B at 2 percent, Epstein-Barr virus at 1 percent and hepatitis C at under 1 percent. Viruses can switch off a cell's self-destruct and growth-control genes or insert their DNA into the host. Bacteria like H. pylori work more slowly, through chronic inflammation that damages tissue. Around 75 percent of these cancers occur in low- and middle-income countries.

so what

Because these cancers have known causes, they are preventable through vaccines such as HPV, screening and treatment of infections. Australia's HPV programme has cut infections by 90 percent among eligible people, showing what prevention can achieve. The gap between rich and poor countries makes access a central issue.

fun fact

Helicobacter pylori is best known for causing stomach ulcers.

more on this

background

Cancer is a group of diseases involving uncontrolled cell growth typically resulting in tumors with the potential to invade or spread to other parts of the body. These malignant tumors contrast with benign tumors, which do not spread. Over 100 types of cancers affect humans.

About 33% of deaths from cancer are caused by tobacco and alcohol, obesity, lack of fruit and vegetables in the diet and lack of exercise. Other factors include certain infections, exposure to ionizing radiation, and environmental pollutants. Infection with specific viruses, bacteria, and parasites causes approximately 16–18% of cancers worldwide. These infectious agents include Helicobacter pylori, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HPV. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) does not directly cause cancer, but it causes immune deficiency that can increase the risk of cancer from other infections, sometimes up to several thousandfold. Vaccination against the hepatitis B virus and the human papillomavirus have been shown to nearly eliminate the risk of cancers caused by these viruses.

From Wikipedia: Cancer (CC BY-SA 4.0) ↗

see

Lamiot, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Unknown photographer, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

AradaComm, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Illustrative photo · DavidGoodsell, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

source: The Conversation ↗

historyWikipediaclassic1336–1565 · Karnataka, India

Hampi was once one of the world's largest cities, until its Vijayanagara capital was destroyed in 1565

the gist

Hampi is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Karnataka, India, with more than 1,600 surviving remains spread over 4,100 hectares. It was the capital of the Vijayanagara Empire from 1336 to 1565. Travellers from Persia and Portugal described it as a prosperous, wealthy and grand city with temples, markets and farms along the Tungabhadra River. By 1500 it was estimated to be the world's second-largest city after Beijing, and probably India's richest at the time. In 1565 a coalition of Muslim sultanates defeated the Vijayanagara Empire, its capital was conquered and destroyed, and the city was left in ruins. Hampi remains a religious centre, with the active Virupaksha Temple at its heart.

how it works

The city was built around a fortified core with temples, markets and water structures along the river, supplied by an extensive network of roads and waterworks. When the empire fell, the city was not rebuilt, so its stone monuments were left standing.

so what

Hampi shows how quickly a great city can vanish after a military defeat, and how a ruined capital can remain sacred. Its ruins give historians a view of medieval South Asia that few other sites can match.

fun fact

The name Hampi comes from Pampa, an old name for the Tungabhadra River.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia · text CC BY-SA 4.0

Image: Wikimedia Commons

source: Wikipedia ↗

2 min

politicsshortCNA2:01

False allegations about Singapore’s hand in Indonesia’s markets and a made-up meeting

from CNA

CNA Verify has found close to 400 posts pushing falsehoods tying Singapore to Indonesia’s stock market rout and to a secret meeting that never took place. Together, they drew nearly 12 million views, and some were circulated by accounts that appeared to be working in concert, across multiple social media platforms.

Here’s how the disinformation campaign targeting Singapore was uncovered.

on YouTube: CNA ↗