Turbo cancer is a conspiracy theory claiming that the COVID-19 mRNA vaccines are causing aggressive, rapidly progressing cancers. Despite gaining traction online, turbo cancers have no scientific backing and have been widely debunked by scientists and medical professionals. Understandable concerns about anecdotal reports of increased incidents of fast-growing cancers following the COVID-19 pandemic have driven the popularity of this conspiracy theory. However, in this article, we will explain how this theory has arisen, why it is incorrect, and how, if you are worried, you can take steps to become more proactive about your health.
What Is Turbo Cancer—And Is It Real?
Where the Term Comes From
The specific origins of the term are unknown, however, it is thought to have emerged from a combination of anti-vaccine rhetoric, misinterpreted scientific research, and anecdotal reports1. Despite the popularity of these claims, particularly on the internet, turbo cancer is not recognized by medical authorities as a valid theory. The claims arise from a belief that there has been a rise in aggressive cancers following vaccination for COVID-19 using mRNA vaccines. Proponents of the theory suggest that mRNA, a molecule that acts as the go-between for DNA and the enzymes that produce proteins, can integrate into the genome or alter DNA, resulting in cancer1. These claims are not backed by any evidence.
What the Data (Doesn’t) Say: mRNA and Cancer
No evidence has been provided demonstrating that mRNA from vaccines can be incorporated into the genome or alter DNA. In addition, there is no mechanism through which this could occur due to three main facts2:
- mRNA cannot enter the nucleus as the pores in the nuclear membrane are tightly controlled, allowing mRNA to exit but not to enter.
- mRNA cannot be incorporated into the DNA as it is in a different ‘language’.
- mRNA rapidly decays within the body.
What the Data (Doesn’t) Say: Data Misinterpretation
A published case study has been widely misinterpreted as ‘proof’ of turbo cancer. In this study, a single mouse given a very high dose of the mRNA COVID-19 vaccine died from the development of cancer (specifically a B-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma). This study cannot be used to prove turbo cancer for several reasons3,4:
- Correlation does not equal causation – just because the mouse developed cancer after the injection does not mean that the injection is the cause. No causative link has been found between the vaccine and cancer.
- The mice were injected with a very high dose of the vaccine – multiple orders of magnitude higher than humans are given.
- Despite the repetition of the experiment (with the injection of over 70 mice), no other mice have developed cancer.
- Pre-existing cancer is a possibility – this strain of mice is known to spontaneously develop lymphomas and it is unknown whether the mouse had already developed cancer before being injected with the vaccine.
No peer-reviewed studies have been published proving the existence of a turbo cancer epidemic. The National Cancer Institute has explicitly stated that “There is no evidence that COVID-19 vaccines cause cancer, lead to recurrence, or lead to disease progression”5. In addition, the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre has stated that “None of the vaccines interact with or alter your DNA in any way. They cannot cause cancer”6.
What You Should Be Thinking About
Fast-growing, aggressive cancers can often go undetected until later stages where they are more difficult to treat and have worse prognosis. For example, breast cancer diagnosed at an early stage where it is still localized to breast tissue has a survival rate of over 99 percent, whereas if diagnosed at a later stage, when it has spread to distant parts of the body, the survival rate is only 32 percent7.
The real issue demonstrated by the COVID-19 pandemic is the importance of early detection of cancers. The rise seen in late-stage cancer diagnoses following the pandemic is not due to turbo cancer, but instead thought to result from COVID-related delays to cancer screening and other healthcare disruptions making people less likely to visit a doctor over this time, and so diagnoses being delayed8. Early diagnosis is crucial for increasing the chances of a positive outcome.
Most Aggressive Cancers Are Often Caught Too Late
Cancers That Progress Rapidly
Certain types of cancer are known to progress rapidly, including glioblastomas (a type of brain tumor)9, triple-negative breast cancers10, and lung cancers (particularly small cell carcinomas)11. Due to their rapid growth, these cancers are often not diagnosed until they reach an advanced stage, at which point they are difficult to treat and result in worse outcomes.
Why They’re Missed
Some types of cancer are described as ‘silent’ due to being asymptomatic or having non-specific symptoms at early stages. For example, pancreatic cancer rarely has symptoms at the earliest stages, and has non-specific symptoms at later stages, such as loss of appetite, tiredness, belly pain, and jaundice. As a result, pancreatic cancer is often diagnosed when at an advanced stage, leading to an average 5-year survival rate of only 13 percent12,13. In addition, there are no general screening tests for pancreatic cancer, ultimately resulting in it often being missed.
The Importance of Early Detection
Diagnosis at the earliest stages of cancer increases the chances of survival. For example, stage 1 bowel cancer has a 5-year survival rate of 90 percent, whereas stage 4 only has a 5-year survival rate of 10 percent14.
Furthermore, treatment options are more likely to succeed at the earlier stages of cancer. Early cancers can often be treated with surgery or localized radiation therapy alone, whereas late-stage cancers may require systemic therapies, such as chemotherapy, which have extensive and unpleasant side effects15,16.
Full-body MRIs: The Secret Weapon in Early Detection
What is a Full-Body MRI?
Full-body magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans scan multiple organs at once to produce a detailed image of the body and a comprehensive health assessment. MRIs can distinguish between different types of tissue and are particularly effective at differentiating soft tissues, making them ideal for screening for tumors17. The level of detail in an MRI enables healthcare professionals to identify anomalies and so detect cancer at the earliest stages, often before symptoms have developed.
Benefits of Full-Body MRIs
Not only can MRIs produce a more detailed image of organs than other scanning methods, they are also safer18,19. Unlike X-rays, CT scans, and PET scans, MRIs do not use ionizing radiation. Although exposure to radiation from these scan types may be necessary in certain situations, individuals undergoing regular screenings should avoid scans using ionizing radiation as they can increase the risk of developing cancer20. MRIs are also non-invasive and painless. These attributes have contributed to MRIs becoming the preferred option amongst patients, particularly those who are high-risk and trying to minimize risks21.
The potential for early cancer diagnosis using full-body MRI scans also saves money, as treating the early stages of cancer is significantly less expensive than late-stage cancer22.
Ezra Scans: Safe, Fast, and Clear
Ezra offers full-body MRI scans, screening for cancer in multiple organs simultaneously – Ezra’s Full Body Plus scans screen 13 organs, including the pancreas, brain, and liver. They have partnered with expert radiologists and leading imaging centers to give users the best experience and the most accurate results. They have further improved the accuracy of their scans with the use of AI technologies. AI enhances image quality, resulting in the identification of tiny anomalies that could be indicative of early cancer, reducing the risk of false positives or negatives, and helping to distinguish between benign and malignant tumors.
Summary
Turbo cancer is a conspiracy theory with no scientific backing and which has been thoroughly debunked by healthcare experts. While concerns around cancer are valid, blaming mRNA COVID-19 vaccines for cases of aggressive cancers is not supported by data. Instead, rising late-stage diagnoses are more likely linked to healthcare disruptions during the pandemic. The takeaway from this conspiracy theory should not be fear, but instead a greater appreciation for the importance of early detection and regular health screening. Full-body MRIs to screen for cancer offer a proactive way to catch cancer early, improving survival rates, treatment options, and outcomes.
If you want to be proactive about your health, why not book an Ezra full-body MRI? Our annual scan catches potential cancer earlier, leveraging AI through the screening process to make it more efficient, affordable, and faster.
