World Immunization Week 2013

World Immunization Week (20-27 April) is an opportunity to underscore the importance of immunization in saving lives, including from infection-related cancers.

Latest data shows that worldwide 16% of all cancer cases are caused by infections. The four main cancer-causing infectious agents are hepatitis B and C viruses, human papillomavirus and Helicobacter pylori which together are responsible for 1.9 million cases of cancer every year, mainly liver, cervix uteri and gastric cancers. 

The proportion of cancers related to infections is far higher in less developed countries than in developed countries. In Sub-Saharan Africa, one in three cancer cases are attributable to infectious agents, compared to one in 35 cases in the United States and Australia.

Currently, two safe and effective vaccines can prevent infection-related cancers: liver cancer with the hepatitis B vaccine, and cervical cancer with the human papillomavirus vaccine.

To learn more about the prevention of cancer with vaccines, and the collaborative efforts of UICC and the GAVI Alliance in this regard, please download the factsheet:  “Revolutionising Cancer Prevention with Vaccines”.