UVA research links severe COVID and flu infections to higher lung cancer risk

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (WVIR) - New research from UVA Health suggests severe respiratory infections could have lasting effects on the lungs — including an increased risk of developing lung cancer later in life.

Researchers found that serious cases of COVID-19 or the flu may increase the likelihood of lung cancer developing months or even years after the infection.

Scientists say severe respiratory illness can leave the lungs in a prolonged inflamed state, creating an environment where cancer may be more likely to grow.

“Our specific finding have found that this acute pneumonia could facilitate the lung tumor growth,” said Jie Sun, a professor of medicine at the UVA School of Medicine.

UVA Health says the increased risk was only observed in severe infections, not in mild cases of COVID-19 or the flu.

Researchers also say vaccination appears to help prevent some of the harmful immune system changes that can occur after severe illness.

Sun and his collaborators have published their findings in the scientific journal Cell.

The research team hopes the study will help doctors better identify patients who may be at higher risk and monitor them more closely.

Early detection is key, researchers say, because lung cancer is often more treatable when it is caught in its earliest stages.

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