“COVID-19 vaccines can trigger genetic changes in cancer patients that could aid in the further development of the disease in such individuals, according to a recent peer-reviewed analysis.
The review, published in the Cureus medical journal on Dec. 17, looked at the relationship between COVID-19 vaccines and cancer. A review of multiple studies led the authors to conclude that certain COVID-19 vaccines may create an environment that predisposes some cancer patients, including survivors, to ‘cancer progression, recurrence, and/or metastasis.’
The review noted that COVID-19 vaccination has been associated with lymphopenia—a condition in which there is an abnormally low count of lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell that helps the immune system fight against foreign bacteria and viruses.
Clinical trials of the Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccine described a ‘decrease in plasma lymphocytes 6-8 days post-vaccination in 45 percent-46 percent of participants.’
‘Lymphopenia has long been associated with increased cancer incidence and risk of malignancy,’ said the review. ‘Lymphocyte alterations are frequent in patients with cancer and strongly impact prognosis and survival.’”