Susceptibility to Infectious Diseases in Cancer Patients

This review focuses on the interaction between microbes and cancer, namely the main infectious agents associated with development of cancer; and the higher vulnerability of cancer patients to acquire infectious diseases.

Educational Objectives

Educational Aim:
The aim of this article is to provide information on how alterations in the human microbiota can lead to infection and thus play a role in carcinogenesis.

Editor's comments:
Cervical cancer, a preventable and treatable cancer, remains the cancer with the highest incidence in women in 27 countries, and the leading cause of cancer death in women in 45 countries, most of which are in sub-Saharan Africa. Efforts to determine the most cost-effective strategies to reduce cervical cancer burden through human papillomavirus vaccination and screening are ongoing and will hopefully lead to a continued decrease in cervical cancer incidence in the most affected areas of the world. Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a major health concern worldwide, contributing to an estimated 4.8% of all cancers. Microbiota associated with cervical inflammation have been found to be especially prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa, and to associate with increased cervical cancer risk.

Educational Outcomes:
Upon completion of this module practitioners should have a clear understanding of:

1. disease conditions,

2. the microbial imbalance created
3. and thus the capacity to sustain disease, including cancer.

Instructions for this Module

• Read the supplied reading material and complete the quiz that follows;
• You have three attempts to pass the quiz;
• The pass grade is 70%;
• You need to pass the quiz to claim your CPD certificate;
• Please click on the CPD certificate link below to claim your CPD certificate and to update your CPD Manager.

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