Researchers at the University of Colorado have discovered a potential link between COVID-19 infection and cancer recurrence in some patients. The study, published in the journal Nature, found that cancer survivors who contracted COVID-19 were more likely to experience a recurrence of their cancer.

Understanding the Connection

The researchers analyzed data from the U.K. Biobank and a U.S. breast cancer database, finding that patients who had contracted COVID-19 were more likely to develop aggressive lung tumors. While the exact mechanism behind this connection is still unclear, the researchers believe that the inflammation caused by COVID-19 may be a contributing factor.

Other experts in the field have weighed in on the findings, with some suggesting that the connection between COVID-19 and cancer recurrence may be related to the immune system’s response to the virus. Dr. Patrick Moore, a virologist and epidemiologist at the University of Pittsburgh, noted that “COVID-19 and influenza do not cause cancer under themselves, but if you have cancer and you have dormant cancer cells that are normally under control by your immune system, getting a severe case of COVID-19 can help reactivate those existing cancers.”

The researchers stress that more study is needed to fully understand the connection between COVID-19 and cancer recurrence. However, the findings do suggest that patients with compromised immune systems should take precautions to avoid contracting COVID-19 and other viral infections.

Original reporting: Texarkana Gazette — read the source article.