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Last Updated on June 11, 2023 by Shabnam Sengupta
Cancer prevention involves proactive measures to reduce the likelihood of developing cancer. Implementing cancer prevention strategies can effectively decrease the incidence of new cancer cases within a specific group or population. By avoiding known risk factors, individuals can significantly lower their chances of developing certain types of cancer. These risk factors include smoking, obesity, and sedentary lifestyle. In this article, we will discuss the role of vaccines in preventing lung cancer.
What are cancer vaccines?
Cancer vaccines are immunotherapies that aim to stimulate the immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells. They can be preventive, targeting infections linked to cancer, or therapeutic, designed to enhance the immune response against existing cancer cells. Cancer vaccines contain cancer cells, cancer-related antigens, or adjuvants to enhance immune response. However, the success of cancer vaccines varies depending on cancer type and stage, as well as individual immune system characteristics.
In what ways do the vaccines prevent lung cancer?
Cancer vaccines only treat lung cancer by inhibiting the growth and spread of fast-growing cancer cells within the body. Cancer vaccines or therapeutic vaccines make the immune system stronger by mostly targeting proteins which are not normally present within the healthy cells. Although there are some vaccines that do not target proteins, doctors do not use them so commonly worldwide as there exists approved lung cancer treatments. Cancer vaccines are mostly under trial or case specific.
Preventive vaccines, like the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, help prevent specific types of cancer. Whereas therapeutic vaccines are used to treat individuals with cancer by training the immune system to recognise and destroy cancer cells.
How does the HPV vaccine indirectly reduce the risk of developing certain lung cancers?
HPV vaccine is a type of preventive vaccines. It can prevent HPV infection and certain types of cancers by targeting infections or viruses known to increase the risk of developing cancer.
One of the risk factors for developing lung cancer is infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV is a common sexually transmitted infection. It can cause various types of cancer, including cervical, anal, and some types of head and neck cancers. Studies have suggested a potential link between HPV infection and lung cancer.
The HPV vaccine is primarily effective in preventing cervical cancer. However, it can indirectly reduce the risk of certain lung cancers. By vaccinating individuals against HPV, especially at a young age, the vaccine can help prevent the transmission of the virus and subsequently reduce the risk of developing HPV-related lung cancers.
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