Final answer:
True, some viruses can cause cancer; these are called oncogenic viruses. The human papillomavirus (HPV) and hepatitis B are examples of such viruses, and they are associated with cervical and liver cancer respectively. Vaccination can prevent such virus-induced cancers.
Step-by-step explanation:
True, a few viruses are known to cause cancer, and they are referred to as oncogenic viruses. These types of viruses can lead to the development of cancer by interfering with normal cell regulation either by introducing oncogenes, which promote cell growth, or by inhibiting genes that control cell growth. Among the known cancer-causing viruses are the human papillomavirus (HPV), which is associated with cervical cancer, hepatitis B and C viruses (HBV and HCV), associated with liver cancer, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) related to several types of lymphoma, and human T-lymphotropic virus linked to T-cell leukemia.
Viruses cause about 15 percent of all human cancers with examples including hepatitis B virus leading to liver cancer, and HPV causing cervical cancer. Prevention can involve vaccination for viruses like HPV and hepatitis B, which are known to have available vaccines that aid in stimulating the immune response against these infections, thereby reducing cancer risk.