Table 1.
Summary of the five cancer types, associated infectious agents, types of early‐life transmission, and possible prevention strategies
| Cancer | Infectious agent | Types of early‐life transmission | Prevention strategy (targeting infections only) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cervical | HPV | Sexual intercourse—adolescent and young adultPerinatal—genital tract secretions; amniotic fluids; blood during vaginal deliveriesBreast milk | HPV vaccination in childhoodCervical cancer screeningUse latex condoms when having sexSex education programs targeting adolescents and young adults |
| Liver | HBV, HCV | HBV and HCV:Mother‐to‐child transmission at birthSexual intercourse (adolescent and young adult)Blood transfusionExposure to blood from infected individuals | HBV vaccination to newborns and infantsScreen bloodSex education programs targeting adolescents and young adults |
| Burkitt lymphoma‐leukemia | EBVHIV | Saliva—oral contactGenital secretionsBloodMaternal‐to‐child | Vaccine development against EBVAvoid kissing or bodily contact with secretions from known infected individuals |
| Nasopharyngeal | EBVHPV | Same for EBV and HPV | Same for EBV and HPV |
| Adult T‐cell leukemia‐lymphoma | HTLV‐1 | Mother‐to‐childBreast milkSexual intercourseBlood transfusion | Use latex condoms when having sexAvoid bodily contact with secretions from known infected individualsIn endemic areas, screen pregnant women to recommend whether to breast‐feed or bottle‐feedScreen blood supply |
HPV, human papilloma virus; HBV, hepatitis B virus; HCV, hepatitis C virus; EBV, Epstein–Barr virus; HIV, human immunodeficiency virus; HTLV‐1, human T‐cell lymphotropic virus type‐1.