Latest research on respiratory viruses and metastatic cancer

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Hi, Unfortunately I seem to have an algorithm on my social media that feeds my fears.

I’m almost a year since a DCIS diagnosis. I had a lumpectomy and radiotherapy. I saw recently that research shows respiratory viruses can awaken dormant cancer cells in the lungs of people who have had breast cancer.

I get my flu vaccine every year as a carer but am not offered COVID vaccines but got the first 2 offered back when they were offered to everyone followed by one booster. I haven’t had COVID in a good few years but I get a cold most winters with a cough. This has me overthinking my recent cold. I didn’t get flu but had sore throat, cough, runny nose.

The doctor I watched speaking about this research is an immunologist. She recommended asking for a scan of lungs if you’d had breast cancer and a respiratory virus.

I’m due my annual mammogram but will this be enough? Am I overreacting?

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Hi charlie55,

That’s quite worrying to read. I’m four years post IDC and have had a mastectomy and take Letrozole. I get really bad chest infections every year. For the past two years I’ve had a chest x-ray and a thorax ct scan. Last year the ct scan was clear but I’m here again with a hacking cough, just in time for Xmas! Getting scans is like pulling teeth so I doubt I’d get another one. I was bad last year on nebulisers and steroids so the GP sent me for the scan. My breast clinic didn’t seem to be concerned at all. Can you link to the research, thanks.

Frances :christmas_tree:

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I’m so sorry Frances. I don’t think I should have posted as I know how upsetting this is. I wanted a perspective from one of the Breast care nurses. Hopefully they can be a little more rational than I’m being. I saw the post on social media but the Dr referenced a study from Nature which is a medical research publication. It’s available to read. Just Google Nature and the subject. I can’t seem to figure out how to link it here.
I suppose when we think of how many women have had primary breast cancer and then had colds and flus, they certainly haven’t all gone on to have mets. So like everything we just have to try to stay well and not allow stress to take over. Stay well and please accept my apologies for upsetting you.

Also it’s very reassuring that you have had chest x-rays and are clear.

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Charlie55,

Please don’t worry I was just interested, so thank you for posting. You shouldn’t ever have to apologise for posting anything on here. Everyone’s views are valid.
Thanks.

Frances :christmas_tree:

1 Like
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Hello charlie55,

Thanks for posting.

It’s understandable that seeing information that suggests that respiratory infection may increase the risk of lung secondaries in some people online fed your fear of cancer returning (recurrence).

An overview of the study you mention is given in this link. It is important to note that this study was performed on mice. There is some observational data from studies of health outcomes in people with cancer, that suggests that having some respiratory infections may cause dormant cancer cells to start to grow but further research would be needed to understand this better.

Many women tell us that they are worried about cancer returning (recurrence) after their diagnosis. Your individual risk of cancer returning depends of multiple factors including the type of breast cancer you had. You say that you were diagnosed with DCIS which is an early, non-invasive type of breast cancer which means the cancer cells aren’t yet able to spread outside the breast ducts into the surrounding breast tissue or to other parts of the body, including the lungs. Annual mammogram would be the only routine test performed after your diagnosis.

As @Frances55 says, there may be times when there are clinical reasons to do further investigations such as a chest X-ray or chest CT, but this would usually be undertaken by the oncology or chest doctors with the decision based upon on-going clinical symptoms and individual risk.

We offer a range of free supportive services which you may be interested in. They include face to face and online courses and events. You may particularly find our Moving Forward course helpful. This course aims to help people adjust to life after a breast cancer diagnosis.

Do call our helpline if you would like to talk this through or have any further questions. The helpline team have time to listen, talk things through and signpost you to additional support and information if necessary. Your call will be confidential, and the number is free from UK landlines and all mobile networks.

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Best wishes,

Mandy

Breast Care Nurse

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