Infections cause 12% of cancers: bacteria, viruses and parasites

According to an analysis published in The Lancet Oncology in 2024, infectious agents account for roughly 2.3 million cancer cases yearly — 12% of all cases worldwide. The culprits include Helicobacter pylori bacteria in the stomach, viruses attacking the liver, and parasites. In Europe, infections account for 4% of cancers in the north and 10% in central and eastern regions.

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