Scientists Warn of Parasite That Can Enter the Body and Increase Cancer Risk

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00:00Scientists warn of parasite that can enter the body and increase cancer risk.

00:05Schistosomiasis is caught in fresh water when larvae slip into skin unnoticed.

00:10S. mansoni can block nerve alerts and may raise liver and colorectal cancer risk, studies suggest.

00:19In mice, Schistosoma mansoni dampen TRPV1-positive sensory neurons that signal pain,

00:25itch, and burn, reducing heat sensitivity. Activating them beforehand triggered an early

00:30immune response. Researchers found these nerves act as a defense against infection.

00:35World Health Organization notes S. hematobium is a group 1 carcinogen linked to higher bladder

00:41cancer risk. Liver flukes O. vivarini and C. sinensis cause bile duct cancer, while S. mansoni

00:48may raise bowel and liver cancer risk through chronic inflammation.

00:56Schistosomes need snails and humans to survive. Snails release larvae that penetrate skin in seconds,

01:02putting 250 million people at risk in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and the Americas.

01:08Tourists can also get infected, but oceans and chlorinated pools are safe.

01:12Europe is rarely affected, although outbreaks such as the 2013 Corsica outbreak

01:17show that transmission can occur. Check safe swim areas when traveling,

01:21use treated water for bathing, and see a clinician if exposed.

01:28Dr. Dabrowski R. Herbert noted that studying how the parasite blocks TRPV1-plus

01:34could lead to new pain treatments and therapies for painful inflammatory diseases.

01:39In high-risk areas, avoid contaminated water and get tested if exposed. Use chlorinated or boiled water

01:45for bathing. Effective treatments can help prevent inflammation and related complications associated

01:50with cancer.