Today, even cancer centers across our country know that 5-10 % of cancers are related to genetics. That leaves about 90% that are related to lifestyle and what happens to us as we go through life. This is significant because years ago, it was assumed that most cancers were caused by genetic defects. After my cancer diagnosis, my oncologist ordered extensive genetic testing, and I had none. That let me know that my cancer was caused by my lifestyle, and something needed to change.
Today, we’re going to look at eight viruses that can cause cancer. Scientists at the National Cancer Institute and the World Health Organization estimate that 10–15% of cancers worldwide are caused by infectious agents, especially viruses. Most virus-related cancers develop after years of chronic infection and inflammation, and many are preventable
So let’s look at these eight viruses that can cause cancer:
- Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
HPV is the most common virus linked to cancer. HPV has at least 12 strains that can cause several types of cancers in men and women. High-risk HPV types (especially 16 and 18) cause nearly all cervical cancers and many cancers of the throat and mouth, anus, penis, vulva, and vagina. Most HPV infections disappear naturally, but persistent infection can eventually cause cancer.
You can prevent this risk factor by simply “following the Bible’s recommendations for sexual purity.” I can’t emphasize this strongly enough. It’s also important for women to get a pap smear screening. I’ll never forget the day that my pap smear screening came back questionable. My doctor and my cancer center were not alarmed. Why? Because they knew I followed the Biblical standards for marriage and sex. They knew that most, but not all cervical cancers are caused by sex outside of marriage. But just to make sure, they ordered another pap smear, and it came back normal.
Several years later, a suspicious area was found underneath my tongue by my dentist. He immediately sent me to an oral surgeon for removal and biopsy, but he sent me with these words. “Oral cancers are largely caused by smoking, poor dental health, and the HPV virus which causes about 70 percent. I’m doing this to be cautious, but I’m not worried about you because you don’t have the risk factors.”
I was relieved when the biopsy came back normal. These two incidents opened my eyes to viruses that can cause cancer. And also how the Bible’s instructions protect us from many things. Because our country is veering away from the Biblical foundation it was based upon, you’ll see our CDC and many doctors recommending that all people 9 – 26 should get the HPV vaccine. If you do not follow the Biblical standard, this vaccine is recommended.
- Hepatitis B Virus (HBV)
Hepatitis B virus is spread through infected blood, semen, and other body fluids. Chronic hepatitis B infection causes ongoing inflammation that may eventually lead to cirrhosis and is the leading cause of liver cancer. Fortunately, vaccination has dramatically reduced liver cancer in countries with high vaccine coverage. And this is a vaccine that I recommend if you play sports or work around people who may be infected. Using unsterilized needles or shared needles and syringes for injecting drugs and unprotected sex with an infected partner also puts you at risk.
So again, if you follow Biblical standards and do what the Bible says, your risk is greatly reduced. But if your lifestyle or career puts you at risk of being exposed to infected blood, the Hepatitis B vaccine is recommended. As a public school administrator and counselor, it was recommended that I get this vaccine. And I did get it. You only have to get the series of vaccines once.
For some patients who are chronically infected with HBV, your doctor may prescribe antiviral treatment, which decreases the risk of liver cancer.
- Hepatitis C Virus (HCV)
Hepatitis C virus is spread through infected blood and is also a leading cause of liver cancer, and it can cause non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Unlike hepatitis B, there is no vaccine. Some of the same things that put you at risk for Hepatitis B like sharing needles, accidental blood exposure, unprotected sex, etc. also put you at risk for getting Hepatitis C. Again, it significantly lowers your risk if you follow Biblical standards. Fortunately, modern antiviral medicines now cure over 95% of hepatitis C infections, greatly lowering future liver cancer risk.
- Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV)
Nearly everyone becomes infected with EBV during life. It is a herpes virus that’s spread through saliva. While it usually causes infectious mononucleosis, EBV has been linked to Burkitt lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma, nasopharyngeal carcinoma, and some stomach cancers. There is no vaccine for EBV. Your doctor may prescribe antiviral drugs for Epstein-Barr virus, but your best bet is also to support your immune system with lifestyle changes.
- Human T-cell Leukemia Virus Type 1 (HTLV-1)
HTLV-1 infects immune cells. A small percentage of infected people develop Adult T-cell leukemia and lymphoma. It is spread through infected semen, vaginal fluids, blood, and breast milk. There is currently no vaccine for this virus, but this infection is fortunately rarely found in the US.
- Human Herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8)
HHV-8 causes Kaposi Sarcoma. Sarcoma is a rare and complex group of cancers that originate in the body’s connective tissues, such as bones, muscles, fat, tendons, and blood vessels. It makes up roughly 1% of all adult cancer diagnoses, but accounts for about 15% of cancers diagnosed in children. The cancer mainly occurs in people whose immune systems are weakened. This includes patients with HIV. HHV-8 can also cause some types of lymphoma.
HHV-8 is transmitted through sex and appears to be spread other ways, such as through blood and saliva, as well. Studies have shown that fewer than 10% of people in the US are infected with this virus.
- Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
HIV is spread through infected semen, vaginal fluids, anal fluids, blood and breast milk. HIV weakens the immune system. Rather than directly causing cancer, it allows other cancer-causing viruses to thrive. People with untreated HIV have higher risks of Kaposi Sarcoma, anal cancer, liver cancer, oral cancer, throat cancer, lung cancer, cervical cancer, and non-Hodgkin and Hodgkin lymphoma.
Unfortunately, there is no vaccine against HIV, but there is effective antiretroviral therapy to treat this virus and to help lower your risk of these cancers.
- Merkel Cell Polyomavirus (MCPyV)
MCPyV can cause Merkel cell carcinoma, a rare type of skin cancer. Most adults are infected with MCPyV, with transmission most likely occurring through casual direct (i.e., skin-to-skin) or indirect (i.e., touching a surface that an infected person has touched) contact in early childhood. The risk of Merkel cell carcinoma is greatly increased in elderly people and in younger adults with who are infected with HIV or are immunosuppressed for other reasons. Infection does not generally cause symptoms, and there are no treatments for MCPyV.
So how do viruses cause cancer? Scientists have identified several mechanisms through which these viruses increase your risk for cancer.
Chronic inflammation because long-term inflammation damages DNA and promotes mutations.
Viral DNA insertion – Some viruses insert their genes into human DNA, disrupting normal cell regulation.
Immune suppression because some viruses weaken immune surveillance, allowing abnormal cells to survive.
Let me be honest. Any chronic infection, parasite, or virus can suppress your immune system and damage DNA. Anything that distracts your immune system for long periods of time can open the door for cancer. This is why it’s important to get early screenings and regular checkups from a doctor who can also help you to manage these viruses should you have one of them.
I don’t know about you, but for me—following Biblical standards never looked so good! God’s instructions and laws are always meant to protect us and are for our good.
Next time, we’ll look at 8 Lifestyle Habits that Support and Boost Your Immune System.
View this video on YouTube:
Eight Viruses that Can Cause Cancer
Related video:
Ways to Boost Your Immune System
For Your Health,
Ginny
Ginny Dent Brant is a speaker and writer who grew up in the halls of power in Washington, DC. She has battled cancer, ministered around the world, and served on the front lines of American culture as a counselor, educator, wellness advocate, and adjunct professor. Brant’s award-winning book, Finding True Freedom: From the White House to the World, was endorsed by Chuck Colson and featured in many TV and media interviews. Unleash Your God-Given Healing: Eight Steps to Prevent and Survive Cancer was released in May 2020 after her journey with cancer and was recently awarded the First Place Golden Scrolls Award for Memoirs, a finalist in Serious Writers Book of the Decade, and Second Place in both Selah Awards for Memoirs and Director’s Choice Award for Nonfiction at the Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writer’s Conference. It recently received the Christian Authors Network’s (CAN) Gold Award for Excellence in Marketing for reaching 62.5 million people with a message of cancer prevention and survival. It was written with commentary from an oncologist and was featured on CBN’s Healthy Living Show, Atlanta Live, and CTN’s Homekeepers along with over 75 media outlets. Learn more and cancer and wellness prevention blog and book information at www.ginnybrant.com. Ginny is on YouTube
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***** This content is strictly the opinion of Ginny Brant and is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice or to take the place of medical advice or treatment from a personal physician. All viewers of this content are advised to consult their doctors or qualified health professionals regarding specific health questions. Neither Ginny Brant nor the publisher of this content takes responsibility
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