Health
Cancer is now leading cause of death among HIV-positive people, report says: ‘Of great concern’
Cancer is now the leading cause of death among those who are HIV positive.
The finding was announced in a report released last week from the American Cancer Society (ACS).
Titled “Cancer Facts & Figures 2024,” the report noted that at least 10 cancers are associated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, including non-Hodgkin lymphoma, Kaposi sarcoma, cervical cancer, liver cancer, anal cancer, lung cancer and Hodgkin lymphoma.
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HIV-infected people are also 10 times more likely to develop infection-related cancers compared to the general population, the report stated.
Cancer is now the leading cause of death among those who are HIV positive, as noterd in a new report from the American Cancer Society. (iStock)
The HIV/cancer link
People with HIV are seeing longer life expectancy due to improved antiretroviral drugs, noted Nicole B. Saphier, M.D., a New York-based Fox News medical contributor — but this has also led to a higher risk of developing certain cancers.
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“Decades ago, patients were dying from direct complications from HIV and cancers that developed because of a severely weakened immune system, such as lymphoma and Kaposi’s Sarcoma,” Saphier, who is also director of breast imaging at Memorial Sloan Kettering in Monmouth, New Jersey, told Fox News Digital.
“Now, rates of those particular cancers have declined. However, deaths from other cancers have begun to increase, specifically cancers associated with other viruses like HPV.”
People with HIV are more vulnerable to cancer due to a compromised immune system, Saphier said.
Nicole B. Saphier, M.D., shared her input about the link between HIV and cancer mortality. (Fox News)
Azra Borogovac, M.D., a hematologist at City of Hope Orange County in Irvine, California, noted that certain viruses can increase the risk of different types of cancers.
“As a hematologist who treats patients with blood cancers, I’ve seen that HIV-infected people are at increased risk for both Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma,” he told Fox News Digital.
“In these individuals, lymphomas are typically more aggressive and are more likely to spread beyond the lymph nodes.”
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While HIV does not directly cause cancer, it affects the immune system in such a way that the person may become more susceptible to other infections that can lead to cancer, said Borogovac.
“When a virus invades the body, it can change the DNA of the cells in ways that make them more susceptible to becoming cancerous,” he told Fox News Digital.
However, the outlook for both HIV and lymphoma have improved greatly over the years due to advances in research and treatment, the doctor pointed out.
Key to curbing cancer rates
Preventive screenings and vaccinations are key to curbing cancer rates among those with HIV, experts agree.
“The shift in mortality patterns underscores the importance of comprehensive health care strategies addressing both HIV management and cancer prevention in this population, including HPV vaccination and cancer screening,” Saphier told Fox News Digital.
Experts recommend regular testing for HIV to prevent transmission. (iStock)
Borogovac said the best way to stop cancer is to prevent it in the first place.
“That starts with taking preventative measures to protect yourself from viruses such as HIV,” he said.
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The virus spreads through bodily fluids, including blood, semen and breast milk.
To prevent transmission, it is recommended that people use contraceptives during sex, limit the number of sexual partners, get tested for HIV and avoid the use of drug needles, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
“While there is currently no vaccine that can protect against HIV, there are medications that help prevent it, including PEP and PrEP,” said Borogovac.
“When a virus invades the body, it can change the DNA of the cells in ways that make them more susceptible to becoming cancerous.”
Overall, the impact of cancer on people who are HIV-positive is “of great concern,” the doctor said, noting that it reflects disparities in cancer care among at-risk groups.
“Many people with HIV face barriers to care — especially those who may not know they have HIV or do not have access to screenings and advanced treatments,” Borogovac said.
Screening is critical to reducing risk, he noted, as individuals who are infected with HIV may not show physical symptoms for many years.
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The CDC recommends that anyone between the ages of 13 and 64 should get tested for HIV at least once as part of their routine health care.
Despite the challenges that remain, Borogovac pointed out that there has been much progress in the treatment for the virus since the early days of the HIV epidemic.
“When a virus invades the body, it can change the DNA of the cells in ways that make them more susceptible to becoming cancerous,” an oncologist told Fox News Digital. (iStock)
“Today, FDA-approved antiretroviral therapy (ART) is recommended for everyone living with HIV,” he said, noting that these therapies prevent approximately two-thirds of cancer in individuals with HIV.
“These breakthrough medicines help patients keep HIV under control and prevent transmission to others,” Borogovac noted.
Fox News Digital reached out to the ACS requesting additional comment on the report’s findings.
For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health.
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This story discusses suicide. If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
Veterans with cancer face a higher risk of suicide attempts, according to new research from Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU).
The risk is especially prevalent in the months following diagnosis and can persist for years, states the study, which was published in JAMA Oncology.
The researchers analyzed Veterans Health Administration data from more than 292,000 veterans with cancer from 2014 to 2023.
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The data was measured against the rate of suicidal self-directed violence (SSDV), including both fatal and nonfatal suicide attempts, the study stated.
Veterans with cancer experienced suicide attempts at a rate of 203 per 100,000, which the researchers noted is “significantly higher than the general population.”
Those with higher SSDV rates included veterans with severe frailty, chronic mental illness, advanced cancer and high pain scores. (iStock)
The study also found that overwhelming distress tied to disease diagnosis, treatment and long-term effects puts patients at risk “well into survivorship,” or long after active treatment is over.
The risk was highest in the first six months after diagnosis, but persisted for up to five years.
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Those with higher SSDV rates included veterans with severe frailty, chronic mental illness, advanced cancer and high pain scores.
High rates of nonfatal attempts were recorded most in veterans under the age of 45, females, and veterans with central nervous system cancer or thyroid cancer.
Suicide risk was most prevalent six months after cancer diagnosis, but remained elevated for up to five years. (iStock)
Prescription medications were the most common method used in nonfatal suicide attempts, including opioids, while firearms were most common in fatal attempts.
As the study was observational, the results show an association but don’t prove that cancer directly caused the suicidal behavior.
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Lead study author Donald R. Sullivan, MD, associate professor of medicine at the OHSU School of Medicine, commented that this is a “concerning public health crisis that disproportionately affects America’s servicemen and servicewomen.”
“We hope to raise awareness and inform the development of approaches to better support veterans and mitigate the impact of a cancer diagnosis on their well-being,” he said in a statement sent to Fox News Digital.
“We need to combine efforts in research, outreach and care.”
In a press release statement, Sullivan added that a cancer diagnosis is often a “profound shock.”
“Even cancers with good survival rates can trigger an immediate fear of death,” he said. “That initial moment, combined with pain, treatment side effects, anxiety or depression, can be incredibly destabilizing.”
“We hope to raise awareness and inform the development of approaches to better support veterans,” said the lead researcher. (iStock)
Jim Whaley, CEO of Mission Roll Call — a nonprofit veteran advocacy group — reflected on these findings in an interview with Fox News Digital.
“The study shows that more investigation and action is needed to medicate the higher percentage of veterans diagnosed with cancer committing suicide,” said Whaley, who was not involved in the study.
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“Understanding the chain of events and upstream factors is vital, as is sharing the study results and recommendations with veteran support organizations involved in these efforts on the ground in communities across the nation.”
Whaley also stressed the importance of recognizing that health encompasses both mental and physical well-being, especially for military service members.
An expert stressed the importance of recognizing that health encompasses both mental and physical well-being, especially for military service members. (iStock)
“Just as we trained in physical fitness daily, we must exercise our mental health in the same manner,” he said. “Veterans sometimes need the tools to do that.”
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While veterans are “great” at helping other veterans, Whaley suggested that they’re “not so good at asking for help.” It’s imperative that loved ones and people within the veteran community watch for warning signs of mental health decline, he added.
The number of veteran suicides is 425% higher than the number of combat deaths since 9/11, he noted.
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“Despite good intentions, the decline in the number of suicides is not dropping enough to end this scourge,” Whaley said. “We need to combine efforts in research, outreach and care … It is a national crisis that needs a national-level task force.”
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