Article in Sunday's Parade Magazine Contains A Factual Error About Cancer and Herpes

PHILADELPHIA (January 29, 1999) -- In the January 31, 1999, issue of Parade Magazine there are two articles on cancer.� In one, a sidebar article contains suggestions on "How to Lower Your Risk" of cancer.�� Included in this section is a reference to "people with certain viruses," which contains a factual error. It states that people with herpes simplex virus are more likely to develop cancer.

"Current research does not indicate that people who are infected with herpes simplex virus are more likely to develop cancer than other people," says Louis M. Weiner, M.D., chairman of the medical oncology department of Fox Chase Cancer Center.� "There are actually two types of herpes simplex virus: type 1---that has never been associated with cancer risk; and type 2---that was at one time thought to be associated with cervical cancer, but is no longer considered to be a risk factor."

Since herpes simplex infection is very common in the population, this statement in the article may cause some concern.

For more information about herpes and cancer, or other questions about cancer, call the National Cancer Institute's Cancer Information Service at 1-800-4-CANCER.

Fox Chase Cancer Center is one of 35 National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer centers in the nation.� The Center's activities include basic and clinical research including prevention, detection and treatment of cancer, and community outreach programs.