Download Virus-Linked Cancers

Viruses Linked With
Cancers
Mrs. Stewart
Medical Interventions
Central Magnet School
Essential Question
 How can viruses lead to cancer?
Introduction
 Sue Smith just found out that her cousin, Maria, was
diagnosed with precancerous cells of her cervix. Maria is
the daughter of Judy Smith’s brother, Jack. The
precancerous cells were detected in the glandular tissue of
her cervix during a routine Pap test, a screening test used to
detect cervical cell changes. Maria’s doctor ran tests and
determined that the abnormal cells were caused by a
Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. Maria had the
precancerous cells removed with cryosurgery, a procedure
that uses the extreme cold produced by liquid nitrogen or
argon gas to destroy the abnormal tissue. Maria is fine now
and cancer-free, but has to go in more often for routine pap
tests over the next few years to make sure that cancerous
cells do not form.
Think – Pair – Share
 Cervical cancer strikes nearly a
half a million women each year
worldwide.
 HPV infections are the primary
cause of cervical cancer.
 In lesson 3.1 you learned that
cancer is caused by genetic
mutations, so how is it that a
virus, such as HPV, can cause
cancer?
Viruses Review
 You learned in PBS that viruses are non-living
particles which contain DNA or RNA surrounded by a
protein capsid. They attach themselves to a host cell,
insert their genetic material into the cell, and then
completely take over all of the cell processes. When
viruses insert their DNA or RNA into the host cell, the
host cell’s genes are mutated. These mutations can
sometimes cause the cell to become cancerous.
Human Papilloma Viruses (HPVs)
 DNA virus
 Invades skin cells and
mucous membranes
 STD/STI
 HPV can mutate host cell
DNA and causes abnormal
cells to start growing and
eventually can turn into
cancer cells.
HPV
40+ strains of HPV
High Risk Strains
Low Risk Strains
 HPV 16 and 18
 HPV 6 and 11, cause
 cause
about 70% of
all cervical cancers
 HPV 31, 35, 39, 45,
51, 52, 58, and a few
others
about 90% of genital
warts, which rarely
develop into cancer.
 Most strains will never
produce a symptom
and will go away in 2
years on its own
How is HPV spread?
 You can get HPV by having vaginal, anal, or oral sex
with someone who has the virus.
 Most commonly spread during vaginal or anal sex.
 HPV can be passed even when an infected person has
no signs or symptoms.
 Anyone who is sexually active can get HPV, even if
you have had sex with only one person. You also can
develop symptoms years after you have sex with
someone who is infected making it hard to know
when you first became infected.
What can HPV cause?
 Genital warts (warts on the genital areas)*
 Cervical cancer (cancer on a woman's cervix)
 Oropharyngeal cancer (cancer in the back of
throat, including the base of the tongue and tonsils) in
women and men
 Vulvar and vaginal cancer (cancer on the vulva or
vagina) in women
 Anal cancer (cancer on the anus) in women and men
 Penile cancer (cancer on the penis) in men
*The types of HPV that can cause genital warts are not usually the types
that can cause cancer.
HPV = main cause of cervical cancer
 HPV has been discovered as the cause of more
than 90% of all cervical cancers
HPV & Oropharyngeal Cancer
What does HPV look like?
Prevention
 3 vaccines – Cervarix,
Gardasil and Gardasil 9
 protects against 4 types of
the HPV virus that are
commonly associated with
cervical, vaginal, vulva and
anal cancers and one that
causes genital warts
 Must receive all 3 shots in
6 months and prior to
becoming sexually active
to be effective
 Mercy Health – what to know about a pap smear
 5 things physician and patients should know
Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV)
 EBV is a type of herpes
virus known for causing
infectious mononucleosis
(commonly known as
“mono”).
 EBV infects and stays in B-
cells forever.
 No vaccine or medications
are available.
EBV increases risk of nasopharyngeal
cancer & Burkitt lymphoma.
EBV is also linked to Hodgkins
lymphomas & stomach cancer.
Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) &
Hepatitis C Virus (HCV)
 Both viruses cause liver infection.
 The long-term infection caused by these viruses
increases a person’s chance of developing liver
cancer.
 There is a vaccine available to prevent HBV
infection.
 There are a few medications available that are
effective in treating HBV and HCV infections.
Hepatitis
Hepatitis Liver
Healthy Liver
Virology
 Virologists, scientists who study viruses, are
constantly looking to create new drugs to cure these
infections, as well as develop vaccines to prevent
them from developing.
Assignment: Mock Interview With a Virologist
 You will explore the virology career field and create a
mock interview with a virologist who is working on
creating a vaccine.
Assignment: Mock Interview With a Virologist
 Create a fictitious name for the vaccine that you are
developing, as well as the company you are working
for.
 Your questions must address the following topics:




The education or training necessary for this job
A typical day in the life of this professional
Your salary
A description of the product you are developing and your
hopes for how it will prevent cancer