It can take from 5 to 40 years for cancer to develop after exposure to a cancer-causing agent, making identification of carcinogens difficult. Oncogenic viruses These are pictures from the BRCA1 lab. Scientists work here studying the gene which is thought to cause breast cancer. Oncogenes are genes within a cell that may initiate the cells' transformation from normal to malignant. Some known oncogenes are the BRCA 1 gene which is linked to breast cancer or the gene linked to colon cancer.
Oncogenic viruses are viruses that are linked to cancer.
Researchers have found that the immune system may recognize the difference between healthy cells and cancer cells and eliminate those that become cancerous. Cancer may develop when the immune system breaks down or is overwhelmed. This may account for the link between HIV and cancer. The information provided through OncoLink should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or a disease. It is not a substitute for professional care.