Needle Sharing Risks: Hepatitis B & C, Not Leukemia

Sharing needles does not cause leukemia. Leukemia is a cancer of blood-forming tissues with complex genetic and environmental origins, not transmitted by blood exposure.

However, needle sharing is a major transmission route for bloodborne viruses, primarily:

• Hepatitis B Virus (HBV)
• Hepatitis C Virus (HCV)
• Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

Consequences of HBV/HCV Infection

Chronic HBV or HCV infection causes persistent liver inflammation, leading to:

• Cirrhosis (severe liver scarring)
• Liver failure
• Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) – the most common type of liver cancer

These are distinct from leukemia. Harm reduction (sterile needle programs, opioid agonist therapy) and vaccination (HBV) are critical prevention strategies.