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The Conversation
The Conversation
Justin Stebbing, Professor of Biomedical Sciences, Anglia Ruskin University

COVID, the flu and other viral infections can re-awaken dormant breast cancer cells, new study in mice shows

COVID was one of the common respiratory infections shown to re-awaken breast cancer cells. MIA Studio/ Shutterstock

The worry that breast cancer may someday return is a troubling source of anxiety for many survivors of the disease. It’s understandable why, since most relapses and metastatic cancers (cancers that have spread) aren’t started by new tumours.

Rather, they’re caused by sleeper cancer cells that suddenly awaken. These “dormant” cancer cells usually colonise places such as the lungs or bones, waiting for the optimal conditions to spring back to life.

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