1514 -- 11/10/02
HPV: WHO GETS
CERVICAL CANCER?
Gabe Mirkin, M.D.
One of two American woman have been infected with the human papilloma wart virus that causes
cervical cancer, but only one in 250 gets that cancer. Recent studies may explain why so few infected women develop cervical
cancer, and how you can reduce your risk.
A study from Portland shows that most women who develop cervical cancer from the wart virus eat
a diet that is low in vitamin A. A study from the National Cancer Institute shows that smoking may cause the wart virus to
form cervical cancer. Other studies show that infection with the wart virus and a bacteria such as chlamydia increases risk
for developing the cancer. Lack of vitamin A may prevent a woman's immunity from killing the wart virus. Smoking increases
the body's production of angiogenesis factor that allows cancers to grow, and being infected with both the wart virus and
chlamydia or other bacteria may be too much for the body's immunity.
1) Dietary risk factors for invasive and in-situ cervical
carcinomas in Bangkok, Thailand. Cancer Causes & Control, 2002, Vol 13, Iss 8, pp 691-699. J Shannon, DB Thomas, RM Ray,
M Kestin, A Koetsawang, S Koetsawang, K Chitnarong, N Kiviat, J Kuypers. Shannon J, Portland VA Res Fdn, 3710 SW US Vet Hosp
Rd, P3-HSRD, Portland,OR 97201 USA.
2) A prospective study of high-grade cervical neoplasia risk among human papillomavirus-infected
women. Journal of the National Cancer Institute, 2002, Vol 94, Iss 18, pp 1406-1414. PE Castle, S Wacholder, AT Lorincz, DR
Scott, ME Sherman, AG Glass, BB Rush, JE Schussler, M Schiffman. Castle PE, NCI, Div Canc Epidemiol & Genet, 6120 Execut
Blvd, Rm 7074, MSC 7234, Bethesda,MD 20892 USA
at drmirkin.com
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