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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Health
Rebecca Whittaker

Covid and flu can awaken ‘sleeping’ cancer cells, scientists find

Covid could awaken ‘sleeping’ cancer cells in the body (File picture) - (Getty/iStock)

Respiratory illnesses such as Covid and the flu can awaken dormant cancer cells in the body and cause them to spread, scientists have warned.

Researchers found when mice were exposed to Covid or influenza, dormant cancer cells woke up and spread rapidly.

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