A new study has revealed that infection with a common virus during childhood may increase the risk of developing bladder cancer later in life.
British researchers found that certain viruses can cause DNA damage in bladder tissue.
Scientists have described the finding as a significant breakthrough, suggesting it may help explain why kidney-transplant patients, who are at higher risk of exposure to the BK virus (a virus that typically causes cold-like symptoms), face an increased likelihood of developing bladder cancer in the years following transplantation.
Dr. Simon Baker, lead researcher at the University of York, said that in other virus-related cancers - such as cervical cancer - viral DNA integrates with human genetic material, contributing to tumour formation.
He added that their findings indicate that the immune response triggered in bladder tissue while fighting off the virus may lead to changes in DNA that can eventually cause cancer.
