A new study conducted in the United States has revealed that patients who suffer from severe coronavirus or influenza (flu) may face an increased risk of developing lung cancer in the future.
The research was carried out by scientists at the University of Virginia Health System and has been published in the renowned scientific journal “Cell.”
According to the study, severe viruses cause long lasting changes in the lungs that later create a favorable environment for the growth of cancer cells.
Scientists said that after a severe infection, the performance of the body’s immune cells weakens, leading to persistent inflammation in the lungs, and this condition can accelerate the development of tumors.
According to the lead scientist of the study, Dr. Jay Sun from the University of Virginia School of Medicine, the lungs may remain in an inflamed state for a long time after severe COVID or flu, which increases the chances of cancer cell growth.
According to the World Health Organization, lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer related deaths worldwide, and in many patients it is diagnosed at a late stage, making treatment more difficult.
Experiments conducted in the study showed that mice that recovered from severe lung infections had a significantly higher rate of lung cancer.
Similarly, according to the data, patients hospitalized due to COVID were found to have about a 1.24 times higher risk of being diagnosed with lung cancer, regardless of whether they smoked or not.
Experts say that after severe infection, immune cells called neutrophils and macrophages begin to function abnormally, creating an environment in the lungs that supports tumor growth.
The research also found that vaccination can play an important role in reducing this risk.
Vaccines reduce the severity of the virus, which also lowers the chances of dangerous changes occurring in the lungs.
Experts have advised that individuals who recover from severe COVID, flu, or pneumonia should undergo regular medical monitoring so that if early symptoms of lung cancer appear, timely diagnosis and treatment can be possible.
