Cancer is now the leading cause of death for people who: HIV positive.
The findings were announced in a report released last week by the American Cancer Society (ACS).
The report, titled ‘Cancer Facts and Figures 2024’, states: at least 10 cancers It is associated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, including non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, Kaposi’s sarcoma, cervical cancer, liver cancer, anal cancer, lung cancer, and Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
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People with HIV are also 10 times more likely to develop infection-related cancers than the general population, the report said.
Cancer is now the leading cause of death among people living with HIV, as noted in a new report from the American Cancer Society. (St. Petersburg)
Relationship between HIV and cancer
Life expectancy for people with HIV is increasing as symptoms improve. antiretroviral drugsIt’s also linked to an increased risk of developing certain cancers, said Dr. Nicole B. Safia, a New York-based medical contributor for Fox News.
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“Decades ago, patients were dying from direct complications from HIV or from cancers that develop when the immune system is severely weakened, such as lymphoma or Kaposi’s sarcoma,” Safier told Fox News Digital. .
“Currently, the incidence of these particular cancers is decreasing. However, the number of deaths from other cancers, especially those associated with other viruses such as HPV, is starting to increase.”
HIV infected person Their immune systems are weakened, making them more susceptible to cancer, Safia said.
Dr. Nicole B. Saphier offered her opinion on the link between HIV and cancer mortality. (Fox News)
Dr. Azra Bologovac, a hematologist at City of Hope Orange County in Irvine, Calif., said certain viruses can increase the risk of many types of cancer.
“As a hematologist who treats patients with blood cancers, I have seen that people with HIV are at increased risk for both Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma,” he told FOX News Digital.
“In these patients, the lymphoma is more aggressive and more likely to spread beyond the lymph nodes.”
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Although HIV does not directly cause cancer, it can affect the immune system and make people more susceptible to other infections that can cause cancer, Borogovac said.
“When a virus enters the body, it can change the DNA of cells and make them more susceptible to cancer,” he told Fox News Digital.
However, the outlook for both HIV and lymphoma has improved significantly in recent years due to advances in research and treatment, the doctor noted.
The key to reducing cancer incidence
Experts agree that preventive screening and vaccination are key to reducing cancer rates in people with HIV.
“Changes in mortality patterns highlight the importance of comprehensive health care strategies that address both HIV management and cancer prevention in this population, including HPV vaccination and cancer screening,” Safia told FOX News Digital. told.
Experts recommend regular HIV testing to prevent infection. (St. Petersburg)
Bologovac said the best way to stop cancer is to prevent it in the first place.
“It starts with taking precautions to protect yourself from viruses such as HIV,” he said.
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The virus is spread through body fluids such as blood, semen, and breast milk.
To prevent infection, it is recommended to use contraceptives during sex, limit the number of sexual partners, get tested for HIV, and avoid drug needles, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). It is said that there is.
“Currently there is no vaccine that can protect against HIV, but there are drugs that can help prevent HIV, such as PEP and PrEP,” Borogovac said.
“When a virus enters the body, it can change the DNA of cells in a way that makes them more susceptible to cancer.”
How cancer affects people as a whole Who is HIV positive? He said this was “very concerning” and reflected disparities in cancer treatment among at-risk groups.
“Many people living with HIV face barriers to care, especially those who do not know they have HIV or lack access to testing and advanced treatment,” Borogovac said. Stated.
Screening is important to reduce risk, he noted, because people infected with HIV may not show physical symptoms for years.
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The CDC recommends that people ages 13 to 64 get tested for HIV at least once as part of their daily health care routine.
Although there are still challenges, Borogovac noted that there have been significant advances in treating the virus since the early days of the HIV epidemic.
“When the virus enters the body, it can change the DNA of cells and make them more susceptible to cancer,” the oncologist told FOX News Digital. (St. Petersburg)
“Currently, FDA-approved antiretroviral therapy (ART) is recommended for all people living with HIV,” he said, noting that these therapies are responsible for approximately two-thirds of cancer cases in people with HIV. He pointed out that it can be prevented.
“These breakthrough medicines can help patients control HIV and prevent it from spreading to others,” Professor Borogovac said.
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Fox News Digital reached out to ACS for additional comment on the report’s findings.
For more health articles, visit: www.foxnews.com/health.