HPV and Colon Cancer: Is there a Link?

A recent study has concluded that there is no substantial link between colon cancer and HPV or human papillomavirus, which commonly causes cervical cancer in woman.

Researchers from the Department of Human Genetics, School of Medicine, University of Michigan, reported that publications have reported an association between colon cancer and HPV suggesting that HPV infection of the colonic mucosa may contribute to the development of colorectal cancer.

The study involved 279 people and included three different study populations, including samples from the United States (73 patients), Israel (106 patients) and Spain (100 patients).

The study authors found that none of the tested samples were positive for any type of HPV; they concluded that HPV types associated with cancer do not meaningfully contribute to cancer of the colon.

For more information on the causes of colon cancer, please visit the CCA's guide to risk factors.

References:

• Gornick MC, Castellsague X, Sanchez G, et al. Human papillomavirus is not associated with colorectal cancer in a large international study. Cancer Causes Control. 2010 Jan 20.
• Colon Cancer Alliance. www.ccalliance.org. Copyright® 2010

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