Oncogenic Viruses

Oncogenic viruses are viruses capable of causing cancer by integrating their genetic material into human cells, disrupting normal cell growth and division. They can interfere with the body's immune system or directly alter cellular functions, leading to uncontrolled cell growth. Examples include human papillomavirus (HPV), linked to cervical and other cancers; hepatitis B and C viruses, associated with liver cancer; and Epstein-Barr virus, connected to certain lymphomas. Not everyone infected develops cancer, but these viruses increase the risk by affecting the mechanisms that regulate cell growth and DNA stability.