Title: Prevention of cancers caused by viruses
Course: Non-Communicable Diseases, Emergency Care and Mental Health Part 1 - Ethiopia (Full)

Prevention of cancers caused by viruses

Infection with two viruses are strongly associated with the development of specific cancers: hepatitis B virus (HBV) causes liver cancer, and human papilloma virus (HPV) causes cancer of the cervix. Both these viruses can be transmitted by unprotected sexual intercourse. HBV infection can follow from exposure to the blood of an infected person, e.g. during healthcare. Immunization against HBV is a routine part of the Expanded Programme on Immunization (the EPI) in Ethiopia; three doses are given to all infants as part of the pentavalent vaccine (pentavalent means that five different vaccines are combined in one injection). Some high-income countries also offer immunization with a vaccine against HPV, but this is not currently available in Ethiopia.

The EPI in Ethiopia is described in detail in the Immunization Module in this curriculum.

What advice would you give to women about protecting themselves from cancer of the cervix caused by HPV infection acquired during sexual intercourse?

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The best way to prevent cervical cancer due to HPV is to follow the ABC rules for prevention of sexually transmitted infections (STIs):

You learned about the ABC rules in the Communicable Diseases Module, Part 3, Study Session 25.

- Abstinence (refraining from sexual intercourse)
- Be faithful (to one long-term partner)
- Condoms (correct and consistent use of condoms for all acts of sexual intercourse).

You should also teach your community that cancers that are detected early by regular self-examination are more easily treated, with a much better chance of success, than cancers where treatment begins only after a long delay. Waiting before showing a health professional a lump found anywhere in the body could mean that it is too late to save the person's life! You should also encourage people to come for cancer screening and early detection. All types of cancer affecting men and women are found in Ethiopia, but from hospital data the most common cancers seem to be breast cancer and cancer of the cervix (cervical cancer) in women – which we describe next.