Can Herpes Cause Cancer?

Yes. The Herpes Simplex Virus can cause Cancer. However, living with herpes doesn't mean you'll get Cancer.

 

The risk factors for developing herpes-associated Cancers are as follows.

 

  • Unprotected sexual activity (increasing the chance of contracting the herpes virus)
  • Genetic factors
  • Persistent or recurring herpes infections,
  • A weakened immune system, which can lead to persistent or recurring herpes infections, may cause inflammation that can result in DNA damage, potentially contributing to Cancer.

 

 

First, What Is a Virus?

 

Viruses are microscopic organisms containing a small number of genes in the form of RNA or DNA that you can hardly detect with an ordinary microscope. They are encapsulated and protected by a protein coating. When a virus takes over a living cell (a host cell), it attempts to reproduce itself by hijacking the cell's operation, inserting its RNA or DNA into the cell, which is how herpes viruses hide. Cancer can develop when the RNA or DNA in a host cell's genes is affected.

 

 

Herpes Viruses Implicated In Causing or Worsening Specific Cancers

 

  • The Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) is a type of herpes virus best known for causing mononucleosis, commonly referred to as "mono". Most people in the United States are infected with EBV by the time they are 18, though not everyone develops symptoms. EBV is lifelong. It continues to live in white blood cells called B lymphocytes. Like other herpes viruses, there is no cure for EBV, and an EBV infection increases your risk of getting Cancer in the back of the nose (Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma), the stomach, or developing certain fast-growing lymphomas, such as Hodgkin's Disease.

 

  • Persistent infection of Human Papillomavirus (HPV), combined with HSV-2 (genital herpes) infection, has been associated with an increased risk of developing vulvar, cervical, and penile Cancers.

 

  • Nearly all tumors contain Kaposi sarcoma (HHV-8) in patients with Cancer living with Kaposi sarcoma (KS). HHV-8 is also linked to Cancer of the blood. HHV-8 is common in individuals with weakened immune systems, such as those with HIV/AIDS.

 

  • HSV-1 and HSV-2 also cause an increased risk of developing Cancer of the anus, prostate, cervix, and skin.

 

 

How Herpes Promotes Cancer

 

Cancer happens when DNA is damaged and the immune system is weakened. 

 

We all have cells inside our bodies that can turn malignant at any time, whether we live with herpes or not. Interactions between the herpes virus and cancer cells can promote Cancer growth and the spread of new tumors. How? Herpes evades immune responses and establishes persistent infections by taking over cellular mechanisms (it inhibits antiviral antigens, modifies cytokine production, and suppresses T and killer cells), which leads to the immune system's inability to recognize the virus (altered immune responses), which allows the herpes virus to establish latency (dormancy, remission), reactivate when the opportunity arises, and creates the potential for uncontrolled cellular growth (Cancer). In other words, it can transform normal cells and potentially turn them into malignant ones. 

 

What makes herpes reactivate? Researchers from Cornell University's Baker Institute for Animal Health in Ithaca, NY, have discovered that herpes viral DNA sometimes escapes suppressive protein wrappings in nerve cells and becomes reactivated. Why? Herpes can detect changes in the immune system (immune reactions).

 

Herpes reactivates in response to inflammation. Every HSV trigger I've ever researched causes inflammation (the elephant in the room). Take cortisol, for example. Cortisol is a stress hormone released in response to stress to combat it. However, chronic stress causes high levels of cortisol, which in turn leads to inflammation, a decrease in immunity, and the triggering of HSV reactivation. 

 

Here's the thing: Not only can the immune system not "see" the herpes virus while it's dormant, but it also cannot detect and eliminate cancerous cells. This means the control of tumor development is impaired, allowing Cancer to develop, spread, and grow into more tumors. 

 

 

Lowering Herpes-Related Cancer Risk

 

It is crucial to take preventive measures by managing stress (HSV triggers) and adopting healthy lifestyle choices, such as following an alkaline diet, maintaining a healthy body weight, exercising moderately, getting enough sleep, and avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol consumption. These can all help reduce the risk of herpes infections and potentially lower the risk of herpes-related Cancer, which in turn reduces your overall Cancer risk. All of these healthy lifestyle choices optimize your immune system.

 

NOTE: Acidity in the internal environment (inside the body) generally contributes to inflammation, which can activate the herpes virus and potentially lead to Cancer development. Herpes also promotes chronic inflammation. You might consider following an anti-inflammatory or alkaline diet, which may help prevent and treat Cancer. 

 

 

Herpes & Cancer Treatment Considerations

 

When you live with herpes outbreaks and undergo Cancer treatment, there are essential things to consider. It's particularly challenging to manage herpes viruses and Cancer simultaneously because of the potential for the progression of one or both, usually both.

 

Herpes-related Cancers may be more aggressive and have a poorer prognosis compared to Cancers in those who do not have herpes or never or rarely experience outbreaks.

 

Herpes infections can compromise the immune system, leading to Cancer treatments not working as well or at all, which makes it difficult to fight off Cancer cells and increases susceptibility to infections and further complications.

 

One of the challenges of treating herpes and Cancer simultaneously is a problem with medications. Antiviral medications can reduce the efficacy of chemotherapy or immunotherapy drugs. You'll need to ensure your doctors are on the same page regarding treatments. 

 

Immune suppression caused by allopathic Cancer treatment can increase the frequency and severity of herpes outbreaks. Just the gamut of emotions you can go through because of a Cancer diagnosis can cause outbreaks, which is why a comprehensive multidisciplinary approach involving oncologists and infectious disease specialists will need to monitor your treatment approach closely. 

 

 

Cancer-Prevention Tips

 

Cancer prevention is essential when living with herpes. There are many sites devoted to Cancer prevention. I've listed a few resources at the bottom of this page. Eating "clean" foods is a must. Inflammatory foods and substances need to be eliminated. You'll need to focus on getting quality sleep, engaging in regular exercise to boost energy in your cells, and managing stress. I know this sounds extremely general, and it is. They are the basics for a healthy body and mind. 

 

 

Cancer-Fighting Foods & Herbs

 

While there is no single diet that can prevent or cure Cancer, an anti-inflammatory or anti-histamine diet can help to keep the body and immune system strong. Some say the Mediterranean diet aids in Cancer prevention, while restrictive alkaline diets can increase the chances of vitamin and mineral deficiencies, as well as protein and fat deficiencies. Reducing red meat, processed foods, and sugar seemed to be agreed upon. Essentially, two-thirds of your plate should be filled with whole grains, vegetables, fruits, and seeds, and one-third with animal or plant-based protein.

 

Foods known to be Cancer-fighting are asparagus, avocado, black raspberries (hard to find, so use freeze-dried black raspberry powder), blueberries, beef liver (grass-fed), broccoli sprouts, butter (grass-fed), wild mustard greens, turmeric root, purple sweet potato, chia seeds, chlorella, black cumin, coconut, cordyceps, cucumber, fermented foods, reishi, sea kelp, pumpkin seeds, whole rye, red onions, whole beans, tofu (natural), ginger, dinosaur kale, salmon (wild-caught), and spirulina. Additionally, garlic, green tea (bulk, preferably no or low caffeine), ginseng, holy basil, lemon water, milk thistle, oregano, European mistletoe, parsley, peppermint, rhodiola, and turmeric are beneficial. White tea is richer in polyphenols than green tea, which helps fight Cancer. Studies show dandelion root extract kills Cancer cells, and works well for colon Cancer.

 

Note: This list isn't comprehensive or specific to HSV. Some of these foods are high in arginine and feed the herpes virus. Some contain histamine or are histamine liberators, and histamine can be a problem when you live with herpes, causing inflammation and more frequent and severe outbreaks. Please see HSV & Immunity for guidance on meeting your nutritional needs when living with herpes. 

 

 

Other Cancer-Fighting Considerations

 

  • Consuming an anti-inflammatory diet (and, when living with herpes, limiting foods that contain high levels of arginine and histamine)
  • Essiac tea
  • Red light therapy

 

 

Resources

 

 »

Add comment

Comments

There are no comments yet.