Bovine leukemia and breast cancer
According to a recent study, women who are infected with a virus called the bovine leukemia virus (BLV) might have an increased risk of breast cancer. Researchers tested breast tissue of 239 women for BLV and found that 59 per cent of those who had breast cancer also had BLV. Based on the study data and after taking other risk factors into consideration, the odds of having breast cancer were three times higher if BLV was present.
Cows with BLV rarely show any symptoms but is extremely common in the USA where almost all dairy herds test positive. Many dairy-containing products available in the UK come from the USA. The study authors say we need more evidence but it is probably transmitted to people through the consumption of cow’s body tissues (meat) or secretions (milk).
Buehring et al. 2015. Exposure to Bovine Leukemia Virus Is Associated with Breast Cancer: A Case-Control Study. PLoS One.10 (9) e0134304.
About the author
Dr. Justine Butler
Justine joined Viva! in 2005 after graduating from Bristol University with a PhD in molecular biology. After working as a campaigner, then researcher and writer, she is now Viva!’s head of research and her work focuses on animals, the environment and health. Justine’s scientific training helps her research and write both in-depth scientific reports, such as White Lies and the Meat Report, as well as easy-to-read factsheets and myth-busting articles for consumer magazines and updates on the latest research. Justine also recently wrote the Vegan for the Planet guide for Viva!’s Vegan Now campaign.
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