Virus Found in Dairy Linked to Breast Cancer

A virus found in beef and dairy products may be a possible risk factor for breast cancer, according to a case-control study published in PLoS One. Researchers examined 239 donated breast tissue samples from the Cooperative Human Tissue Network archives for exposure to the bovine leukemia virus (BLV).

BLV in breast tissue was strongly associated with breast cancer diagnosis, as the virus appeared in 59 percent of those with cancer.

The researchers found 38 percent of cows used for beef and 84 percent of cows used for dairy were infected with BLV and hope these results may point to preventive techniques in the future.