"Searching large pan-cancer genome and whole-transcriptome datasets enabled the identification of a high percentage of virus-associated cases (16%)".
Far from majority.
based on ebv studies i have read (happy to share if you want), some papers use flawed methodologies for viral detection (e.g., checking for limited set of viral proteins).
to reiterate, we mostly agree, except i adopt a more restrained stance: the conclusion supported by science is that viral causation is provable in some cancers -- but not a majority.
which is a subtle, but crucial difference, from concluding that viruses do not cause a majority of cancers (much higher bar IMO).
for instance, past studies may have used flawed detection methods or extrapolated from unrepresentative samples like the lung cancer study shared earlier.
You could also take the bottom-up approach of asking what DOES cause certain cancers. That's a whole other discussion.
Considering all this, if you still have doubts that "viruses do not cause the majority of cancers", I think you will likely be skeptical about pretty much all of biology.
i wouldn’t say i’m skeptical.
more willing to say “unsure” until the underlying methods and logic have been validated.
based on personal anecdotes only, scientists seem too rushed and overworked, forced by our broken system to cite without verifying logic or methods first.
to be honest, part of me hopes you are right and all the virus science is sound. it would save me a lot of time and money.
thanks for sharing your thoughts and providing resources to check out.