Several new carcinogens have been classified as harmful and severe to human health by The U.S. Department of Health and Human Service. Thus bringing the total number up to 248. Five of them being viruses including EBV, HIV-1, MCV and Human T-cell lymphotropic virus type-1. These viruses are linked to more than twenty types of cancer.
Key Takeaways:
- The US Department of Health and Human Services released its 14th Report on Carcinogens today, including seven “newly reviewed” substances, bringing its total number of known human carcinogens to 248.
- These viruses have been linked to more than 20 kinds of cancer, according to the report, including non-melanoma skin cancer, eye cancer, lung cancer, stomach cancer and multiple types of lymphoma.
- “Given that approximately 12% of human cancers worldwide are attributed to viruses, and there are no vaccines currently available for these five viruses, prevention strategies to reduce the infections that can lead to cancer are even more critical,” said Linda Birnbaum, director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and the National Toxicology Program, in a statement.
“”Given that approximately 12% of human cancers worldwide are attributed to viruses, and there are no vaccines currently available for these five viruses, prevention strategies to reduce the infections that can lead to cancer are even more critical,” said Linda Birnbaum, director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and the National Toxicology Program, in a statement.”