Most of my male patients have used tobacco and/or alcohol and it has been blamed for their cancer. But, there are few patients both male and female who did not use the above carcinogens and have had cancer at an early age. They always have this question why did they get it when their friends with all the habits have been spared so far!
Cancer is a complex disease. It results from various factors at interplay. Ageing is the biggest risk factor!
VIRUSES, my dear friends are responsible for many cancers. Different viruses have been implicated in different cancers. HPV virus in carcinoma cervix and head and neck cancers, EBV virus in nasopharyngeal carcinoma, Hepatitis B and C virus in Hepatocellular carcinoma, HSV and HIV in Kaposi's sarcoma. We have vaccine for HPV virus which today is recommended for preventing carcinoma cervix. Who should take it, when they should take it, how many doses are better answered in the following link, Who and When?
Will discuss HPV positive head and neck cancer in the next post.
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