All articles tagged with #cancerrisk
The FDA has issued a recall for the antidepressant duloxetine due to potential cancer risks. Patients using this medication are advised to consult their healthcare providers for alternative treatments and to discuss any concerns regarding their current prescriptions.
A study published in Addiction Biology links cannabis use to significant genetic and cellular damage, increasing cancer risks and potentially affecting future generations. The research identifies cannabis as a genotoxic substance, capable of causing DNA mutations and mitochondrial dysfunction, which can lead to cancer, premature aging, and birth defects. These findings suggest that the genetic damage from cannabis could be passed down through generations, raising concerns about its long-term impact and implications for cannabis legalization discussions.
A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine indicates that even one alcoholic drink per week can increase the risk of several types of cancer, including those not related to the liver. Dr. Mike Cusnir of Mount Sinai Hospital in Miami Beach highlights that complete abstinence from alcohol can revert the risk back to baseline levels for non-drinkers. The study identifies seven cancers directly linked to alcohol consumption and suggests that stopping alcohol intake can significantly reduce the risk of oral cancer after five to nine years. This challenges the previous notion that moderate alcohol consumption could be beneficial for heart health.
UCLA scientist Catherine Carpenter, Ph.D., warns that grilling meat at high temperatures can increase cancer risk due to the formation of carcinogenic chemicals like HCAs and PAHs when fat burns and meat chars. Long-term exposure to these chemicals is associated with higher risks of prostate, colon, and pancreatic cancers. The practice of grilling is prevalent in the U.S., particularly among men and middle-aged individuals. To reduce health risks, Carpenter recommends cooking with indirect heat, frequent turning of meat, trimming charred parts, and using citrus-based marinades. Additionally, the beef industry contributes significantly to climate change, and reducing meat consumption can benefit both health and the environment.
A comprehensive study reported in the New England Journal of Medicine by an international team of medical experts suggests that stopping alcohol consumption can lower the risk of developing certain types of cancers, particularly those of the mouth and esophagus. The harmful effects are attributed to acetaldehyde, a toxin produced during alcohol metabolism. The research indicates that temporary abstinence, such as going dry in January, is unlikely to significantly impact cancer risk unless the reduced consumption is sustained over a longer period.
A report in The New England Journal of Medicine suggests that giving up or reducing alcohol consumption can significantly lower the risk of oral and esophageal cancer. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) reviewed multiple studies and found that abstaining from alcohol for extended periods could reduce oral cancer risk by up to 55% and esophageal cancer risk by up to 65%. The body metabolizes alcohol into acetaldehyde, a known carcinogen, and alcohol also has genotoxic effects, damaging DNA and potentially leading to cancer. While the evidence for other types of cancer is limited, the report emphasizes that there is no safe amount of alcohol when it comes to cancer prevention, and all types of alcoholic beverages are linked to an increased risk of cancer. Health guidelines recommend limiting alcohol intake to reduce cancer risk.
Recent research indicates that UV nail polish dryers, commonly used in beauty salons to cure gel manicures, may cause DNA damage and mutations in human cells, which could potentially lead to cancer. The study found that exposure to the UV light from these devices resulted in significant cell death and DNA damage that was not always repaired, raising concerns about the safety of their frequent use. While the study does not directly prove an increased cancer risk, it suggests the need for long-term epidemiological studies to fully assess the potential health implications. The findings are published in Nature Communications.
Dr. Hisham Mehanna, a professor at the Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences at the University of Birmingham, has stated that oral sex is the main risk factor for oropharyngeal cancer, a type of throat cancer, and has caused a "rapid increase" in the disease in the past two decades. Those with six or more lifetime oral-sex partners are 8.5 times more likely to develop oropharyngeal cancer than those who do not practice oral sex. 70% of oropharyngeal cancers in the United States are caused by HPV, the most common sexually transmitted infection, with 3 million new cases in the U.S. each year.