Scientists may have come closer to discovering a vaccine for several types of cancer, after finding further links between viruses and the disease.
Although it has been known for many years that viruses are the cause of up to 20 per cent of cancer cases, researchers from the Karolinska Institute in Sweden have discovered viruses in cancers which were not previously associated with infection.
The new findings suggest that up to 40 per cent of cancers could be a result of viral infections.
Hepatitis B, as well as human papilloma virus (HPV) are known viruses believed to cause liver and cervical cancer. Swedish scientists, part of the new study, have discovered a viral link with medulloblastoma, the most common form of childhood brain tumour.
These findings follow previous links with the polyomavirus causing Merkel cell carcinoma (a form of skin cancer). The same study also found a link between viruses and the development of prostate cancerous cells.
Although these discoveries bring hope to health professionals and scientists, they still aren’t certain how the link between viruses and cancer coincide, meaning a vaccine cure is still a long way off.