Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday, February 14 2024 that Russian scientists are close to creating vaccines for cancer that could be available for patients.
Vladimir Putin said in a televised comment “We have come very close to the creation of so-called cancer vaccine and immunomodulatory drugs of a new generation”. Reuters reported.
However, Putin did not specify to which cancer these vaccines are intended and how!
According to a report by WHO,
Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide, total number of deaths is nearly 10 million in 2020 and this can be accounted as one in six deaths.
The most common cancers are breast, Lung, Colon, rectum, and Prostate cancers.
Reasons for the cancer according to WHO are:
One-third of deaths from cancer are due to Tobacco use, High body mass index, alcohol consumption, and lack of physical activity.
30% of cancer cases are due to the infection of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and Hepatitis.
External agents like UV and ionizing radiation, Excessive use of chemicals like asbestos, and biological infections from viruses, bacteria, and parasites lead to cancer.
Below are the ways that can help us reduce the risk of cancer according to the WHO
- Avoid the usage of tobacco and related products.
- Maintain a healthy body weight by applying a healthy diet and including more fruits and vegetables.
- Emphasizing physical activities regularly.
- Getting vaccinated against HPV and Hepatitis B.
There are currently six licensed vaccines against human papillomaviruses (HPV) that cause many cancers, including cervical cancer, according to the World Health Organization, as well as vaccines against hepatitis B (HBV), which can lead to liver cancer.
Recently In the Union Budget of 2024, Finance Minister Ms. Nirmala Sitharaman emphasized on vaccination to prevent cervical cancer, “Our Government will encourage vaccination for girls in age group of 9 to 14 years for prevention of cervical cancer”.
Russia plays a significant role in developing vaccines for the diseases, Russia developed Sputnik V, a vaccine for COVID-19 during the coronavirus pandemic of 2019.