Tuberculosis Infection Linked To Increased Risk Of Various Cancers: Study

The study found that people with current or previous TB infection are more likely to have a diagnosis of a variety of cancers, including lung, blood, gynecological, and colorectal cancers. (Credit: Image by Drazen Zigic on Freepik)

Tuberculosis (TB) kills more than a million people worldwide annually. Recent research has unveiled a new risk linked to TB infection: an increased likelihood of developing various types of cancers.

Although TB, a contagious infection caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, primarily attacks the lungs, it can affect other areas of the body, including the brain and spine. It could also lead to complications such as damage to tissues and DNA, disrupted gene repair, and altered growth factors.