Data Report

Severe COVID-19 or flu raises risk of lung cancer, even years later, U.Va. research finds

March 12, 2026

Patients hospitalized with severe COVID-19 have an increased risk of developing lung cancer months or years later, according to new research from the University of Virginia.

U.Va. School of Medicine researcher Jie Sun and his colleagues found serious viral infections “reprogrammed” immune cells in the lungs to facilitate the growth of cancer tumors, even years later.

LINK:
https://wtop.com/health-fitness/2026/03/severe-covid-19-or-flu-raises-risk-of-lung-cancer-even-years-later-u-va-research-finds/