A recent study conducted in Japan, a country with a notably high rate of vaccination against COVID-19, has ignited discussions regarding a potential association between mRNA COVID-19 vaccines and an increase in cancer cases. Link to the study is provided on the last slide.
Researchers analyzing data from 2022 have uncovered notable rises in the rates of several cancers, including ovarian, leukemia, prostate, lip/oral/pharyngeal, pancreatic, and breast cancers, following widespread mRNA vaccination against SARS-CoV-2.
These particular cancers are known to be influenced by estrogen, notably through a receptor called estrogen receptor alpha (ERα). Evidence suggests that the spike protein of the SARS-CoV-2 virus may bind to ERα, potentially accelerating the growth of cancer cells. Additionally, there are indications that the spike protein could interfere with genes responsible for suppressing cancer, such as BRCA1 and BRCA2.
Further factors under scrutiny include oxidative stress induced by the vaccine, which may damage DNA and increase cancer risk. Moreover, interactions between the vaccine and certain receptors could potentially promote the spread of cancer.
Intriguingly, some studies even suggest that the vaccine’s RNA could integrate into human cell DNA, potentially leading to inflammation, DNA damage, and heightened cancer risk.
Acknowledging its limitations, including a reliance on general statistics rather than detailed analysis, the study underscores the need for further research to better understand the observed increase in cancer deaths in 2022 and its potential connection to mRNA vaccination against COVID-19.
With over 10 billion doses administered globally, it is important to continue researching both the benefits and potential risks associated with the vaccine. A study published in the journal Nature estimated that COVID-19 vaccines prevented over 100,000 deaths in the United States alone between December 2020 and May 2021. Another analysis by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimated that as of September 2021, COVID-19 vaccines prevented an estimated 279,000 deaths in the United States. It still remains an important tool in battling the pandemic.
Editor’s Note: This Journal’s peer-review process involves asking experts to review a given article in a few days, which results in its peer reviews taking much less time than those of most other journals do but also has a higher retraction rate. Stay tuned, this study could be retracted. Link to information about the Journal itself.
