You don’t smoke. You exercise. You eat your vegetables. Yet, a silent threat might be living inside your body right now, slowly increasing your risk of cancer without causing a single symptom.
According to a landmark study published today in Molecular Oncology—which serves as the scientific backbone for the 5th edition of the European Code Against Cancer—five common infections are responsible for 140,500 new cancer cases in the European Union every year. That is roughly 1 out of every 20 cancers diagnosed in Germany, France, Italy, Poland, and the rest of the 27 EU member states.
But here is the revolutionary part: Unlike genetic bad luck or environmental pollution, these infections are mostly preventable or curable.
The Five Horsemen of the Cancer Apocalypse
The researchers identified five infectious agents classified as “Group 1 carcinogens” (definitely causes cancer) by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC):
- Human Papillomavirus (HPV): The most famous one. Responsible for cervical, anal, and throat cancers.
- Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori): A bacterium living in the stomach. The leading infectious cause of cancer in men.
- Hepatitis C Virus (HCV): A blood-borne virus attacking the liver.
- Hepatitis B Virus (HBV): Another liver attacker, preventable by vaccine.
- Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV): Weakens the immune system, allowing other cancer viruses to flourish.
The Numbers That Matter
Using data from GLOBOCAN 2022, the team calculated exactly how many cancers were caused by these germs across the 450 million people living in the EU.
Cancer Cases Caused by Infections in the EU (2022)
| Infectious Agent | Main Cancer Caused | Number of Cases (Yearly) | % of All Cancers |
|---|---|---|---|
| H. pylori (Stomach bacteria) | Stomach (non-cardia) cancer | 58,000 | 2.09% |
| HPV (Virus) | Cervical, anal, throat cancer | 55,000 | 1.99% |
| HCV (Hepatitis C) | Liver cancer / Lymphomas | 19,400 | 0.72% |
| HBV (Hepatitis B) | Liver cancer | 8,100 | 0.29% |
| TOTAL (Combined) | Various | 140,500 | 5.09% |
Note: HIV contributes indirectly by amplifying the risk of HPV-related cancers.
The study reveals a striking gender divide. For women under 65, HPV is the number one threat, driving cervical cancer rates. For men, and especially for people over 75, H. pylori is the biggest killer. The bacterium causes chronic inflammation of the stomach lining, which slowly turns into cancer over decades.
The European Map of Injustice
Cancer risk is not distributed equally across the continent. The researchers created detailed maps showing “hot spots” for infection-related cancers.
If you live in Portugal, Latvia, Lithuania, Bulgaria, or Romania, your risk of getting an infection-related cancer is significantly higher than someone living in Finland or Sweden. The study shows a clear “North-South” gradient for liver viruses (HBV/HCV) and an “East-West” gradient for HPV-related cancers.
Regional Risk Variations (Age-Standardized Rates per 100,000 people)
| Region / Country | H. pylori (Stomach) Risk | HPV (Cervical/Throat) Risk | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southern EU (Portugal, Greece) | High (up to 28 per 100k) | Medium | High rates of H. pylori transmission in childhood. |
| Eastern EU (Latvia, Bulgaria) | High (up to 28 per 100k) | High (up to 24 per 100k) | Lower vaccination coverage; higher poverty rates linked to sanitation. |
| Western EU (France, Germany) | Medium (10-15 per 100k) | Medium (10-15 per 100k) | Moderate coverage; aging population. |
| Northern EU (Sweden, Denmark) | Low (6-8 per 100k) | Low (5.5-8 per 100k) | High vaccination rates; better sanitation; early adoption of cures. |
What Has Changed Since 2015?
The 4th edition of the European Code Against Cancer was released nearly a decade ago. Since then, medicine has leaped forward.
- HPV for Boys: In 2024, all 27 EU countries finally agreed to vaccinate boys as well as girls. The new Code explicitly states: “Vaccinate girls and boys against HBV and HPV.” Why? Because vaccinating boys stops the virus circulating (herd immunity) and directly prevents penile, anal, and throat cancers in men.
- The Hepatitis C Revolution: When the 4th Code was written, curing Hepatitis C was hard. Now, we have Direct-Acting Antivirals (DAAs) . You take a pill for 8-12 weeks. It cures over 95% of cases. The new review confirms this reduces liver cancer risk by almost 50%.
- Killing Stomach Cancer: The big news is the push to test and treat H. pylori. A massive meta-analysis (review of studies) cited in the paper found that a simple course of antibiotics (eradication therapy) reduces the risk of subsequent gastric cancer by 36% , even in healthy people with no symptoms. “This challenges the ‘point of no return’ theory,” the authors note. It is never too late to treat.
Why Isn’t Everyone Getting Tested?
If a simple blood or breath test for H. pylori and a cheap course of antibiotics can prevent stomach cancer, why isn’t every European doing it?
The paper identifies several barriers:
- Lack of Organization: Unlike breast or colon cancer screening, there are no national population-based programs for H. pylori or Hepatitis C in most EU countries. Testing is “opportunistic” (only if you see a doctor for other reasons).
- Stigma: HIV and Hepatitis B still carry a social stigma regarding sexual transmission or drug use, stopping people from getting tested.
- Disinformation: Vaccine hesitancy, fueled by fake news, has kept HPV coverage below 50% in five EU countries, while Denmark and Portugal achieve over 90%.
- Antibiotic Resistance: Overuse of antibiotics is making H. pylori harder to kill in some regions.
What Policymakers Must Do Now
The new Code is unique because it speaks not only to individuals but directly to policymakers.
The recommendations for EU governments are strict:
- Make vaccination the default: Reach 90% coverage for HPV in both genders. Offer catch-up vaccines up to age 18.
- Integrate testing: Stop testing for HIV, HBV, and HCV separately. The ECDC recommends an “integrated approach”—test for all three blood-borne viruses in one go, especially in emergency rooms.
- The “H. pylori” pilot: Several EU-funded projects are now running (EUROHELICAN in Slovenia, GISTAR in Latvia) to prove that mass H. pylori screening in young adults (age 30-34) is feasible and cost-effective.
Dr. Martyn Leja from the University of Latvia, a co-author, stated: “Gastric cancer is often diagnosed late. Finding H. pylori early is a no-brainer. We have the tools. We just need the political will.”
What You Can Do Today
You don’t need to wait for your government. The 5th edition of the European Code Against Cancer gives you two action items:
Action 1: Check your vaccine status.
- Did you get the HPV vaccine? If you are under 26, it is likely still free/available in your country.
- Did you get the Hepatitis B vaccine? Most infants get it, but adults over 40 might have missed it.
Action 2: Ask your doctor for a “triple test.”
- If you are over 40, or have a family history of stomach or liver cancer, ask your GP for a blood test for Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and HIV, plus a breath or stool test for H. pylori .
The study concludes with a powerful message: “Infection-related cancers are increasingly preventable.” As the EU fights to beat cancer, the cheapest, most effective weapon might not be a new laser or a robot—it is a vaccine syringe and a course of antibiotics.
reference: here
Other Articles: