Viral infections

Infections with some viruses are also related with development of tumours. The best example of such dependence is viral hepatitis of B type, which in chronic form significantly increases risk of liver cancer. Epidemiological situation has been improved by implementation of vaccination, which presently is obligatory among children and youths. Viral hepatitis of C type, which may also lead to the liver cancer, is still a problem. Unfortunately, vaccine against this type of disease has not been prepared yet.

Other oncogenic virus is human papilloma virus (HPV). Some of its type is found in about 90% of cases of planoepithelial cancer of the cervix. In the last years effectiveness of vaccines against these viruses is researched. It should be stressed, that use of condoms limitates possibility of infection with HPV and viruses of hepatitis of B and C type.

Bad genes

Among causes mentioned in category “others", the genetic factors deserve the attention. Their participation can be suspected, when the tumour is noted in big number of the family members. It concerns mainly the breast cancer and tumours of gastrointestinal track. Such families should be referred to genetic clinics, where hereditary load is checked and specialistic care is suggested. In the first turn the mutation responsible for increase of risk of the disease is confirmed. If is found, tests can be limited to its carriers. In people with the risk of tumour regularne prophylactic tests (in dependence from type of danger) should be performed. Lately implementation of pharmacological prophylaxis in some cases is also considered. However this method is still in trail phase.

Early diagnosis is of the biggest importance

Beside prophylaxis, early diagnosis of cancer plays crucial role in decrease of mortality from neoplastic diseases. A big role is played by doctor’s and patient’s conscience. Both should be alerted.

The positive aspect is that some tumours give symptoms that may agitate patient and force him to go to the doctor. Doctor’s role is to perform the diagnostics in aim to exclude or confirm the tumour’s presence and possibly refer patient to more specialistic unit, in aim of further diagnostics and treatment.

Unfortunately, this scenario is not realised because of the few causes: 

• still to small number of people realises the seriousness of some symptoms;
• telling about some of them is considered as embarrassing;
• often hampered access to the doctor discourages to treatment;
• overworked doctor of first contact often does not have enough time for precise physical examination and scrupulous history, when patient comes because of the different cause.

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