Does herpes cause cancer

Herpes simplex virus (HSV), particularly HSV-2, is not directly linked to cancer, but it can lead to complications that may increase cancer risk. For example, chronic infections and inflammation from HSV can contribute to changes in cells that may lead to cancer over time. In contrast, the human papillomavirus (HPV), another sexually transmitted virus, is more directly associated with cervical and other cancers. Therefore, while herpes itself is not a cancer-causing agent, it can play a role in the broader context of cancer risk.