HPV, hepatitis, Helicobacter pylori: should we be worried? The answer comes down to two ideas: certain chronic infections can increase the risk of cancer, but infection does not mean cancer. In the show “The advice of Doctor Kierzek”, broadcast on ICI on October 21, 2026, the emergency doctor and medical director of True Medical, recalls the useful levers: vaccinate, screen, treat.
Five infections can increase the risk of certain cancers
According to an analysis by the International Agency for Research on Cancer published in 2026, around 2.3 million new cancers diagnosed worldwide in 2024, or nearly 12%, would be attributable to infections. This is a global estimate, at the population level: it does not make it possible to predict the individual risk of an infected person.
In his column, Dr. Kierzek cites five infectious agents which concentrate most of this global load:
-
Helicobacter pylori, stomach bacteria associated mainly with gastric cancer;
-
Human papillomaviruses, or HPV, linked to cervical cancer and other anogenital or ENT cancers;
-
The hepatitis B virus, especially associated with liver cancer;
- The Epstein-Barr virus, involved in certain lymphomas and nasopharyngeal cancers;
-
The hepatitis C virus, also associated mainly with liver cancer.
Its explanation is simple: the problem often comes from a chronic infection, established for years, which maintains inflammation or directly disrupts the cells. But he immediately adds an essential nuance:
“Not all infected people will develop cancer, far from it”
It is this distinction that counts: we are talking about an increased risk, not a written destiny. Prevention therefore aims to reduce this risk when a reliable means exists.
Vaccines, screening, treatments: the right reflexes depending on the situation
First lever: vaccination. In France, according to the vaccination schedule, HPV vaccination concerns girls and boys aged 11 to 14with possible catch-up up to the age of 26 inclusive. Dr Kierzek emphasizes this point: HPV does not only concern women, because it can also be involved in throat, anus or penile cancers. On True Medical, a specific point reminds us why vaccination against HPV also protects boys against several cancers.
For hepatitis B, the logic is different but the objective remains the prevention of an infection that can become chronic.
Hepatitis B vaccination is mandatory for infants born since 2018 ; in adults, it depends in particular on exposure to risk if vaccination has not already been done. You can find useful information on the hepatitis B vaccine helps prevent liver cancer.
Screening requires more nuance. Dr Kierzek underlines the importance of not letting hepatitis B or C pass. In practice, in France, screening for hepatitis B and C should be discussed with a healthcare professionalparticularly in the event of a risk factor, exposure to blood, unprotected sex, pregnancy or before certain treatments. For hepatitis C, there is no vaccine, but antiviral treatments using tablets can now treat the infection; their choice and duration are up to the doctor.
Condoms also have a place in the prevention of sexually transmitted infections, particularly for hepatitis B transmitted sexually. For hepatitis C, transmission is mainly blood-based: condoms therefore do not cover all modes of transmission, even if they can reduce certain sexual risks in the presence of blood, lesions or associated STIs.
Another concrete situation cited by Dr Kierzek: persistent pain or heartburn. He advises against relying on prolonged self-medication and invites consultation: a test can look for Helicobacter pylori and, if the bacteria is identified, antibiotic treatment can be prescribed. To better understand when to look for and treat Helicobacter pylori in the event of persistent gastric disorders, medical advice remains essential, because not all heartburn is linked to this bacteria.
For Epstein-Barr, Dr. Kierzek points out that there is no vaccine available yet. Its practical formula therefore remains to be applied according to each infection: vaccinate, screen, treatwithout promising total protection. Finally, he adds that tobacco and alcohol can worsen the effects of certain infections on the risk of cancer, which reinforces the interest in appropriate medical monitoring when one is concerned.