Burden of Cancer Caused by Infections in Ontario is the seventh report in the Cancer Risk Factors in Ontario series. This report estimates the number of cancer cases diagnosed in Ontario that are caused by infection with certain cancer causing agents. This information can be used to plan Ontario-specific cancer prevention programs and policies and help to prioritize areas for future prevention efforts.
Highlights of the Report
- Between 2,400 and 3,600 new cancer cases diagnosed in Ontario in 2013 (or roughly 4% of all new cancers) were attributed to these 7 infectious agents:
- Human papillomavirus
- Helicobacter pylori
- Hepatitis C virus
- Epstein-Barr virus
- Hepatitis B virus
- Human herpesvirus 8
- Human T-cell lymphotropic virus, type 1
- Human papillomavirus, Helicobacter pylori, hepatitis C virus and hepatitis B virus were the cause of the majority of cancer cases attributed to infections
- Cancers caused by these 4 infections can, for the most part, be prevented by known methods.