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Category: cancer

Published on Leave a comment on Pesticides and Breast Cancer
Normal (left) vs cancerous breast (right), mammography image
Credit: National Cancer Institute

Many studies link pesticide exposure to the development of various cancers, including breast cancer. We tend to think of pesticide exposure as occurring when there is direct contact with the pesticide - for example during application, or when walking on lawns or areas with freshly applied pesticides. Yet... there are other routes that have been neglected in studies, such as washing pesticide contaminated clothes. 

At a recent webinar (42nd National Forum Series - The Pesticide Threat to Environmental Health), Carolina Panis, PhD, (Ass. Professor of Medicine at Western Paraná State University in Brazil, and Visiting Researcher at Harvard University and the University of Arizona) spoke about pesticide exposure in women and breast cancer.  She discussed her recent research showing that women occupationally exposed to pesticides (e.g., as farm workers) and diagnosed with breast cancer seem to have more aggressive disease, also at younger ages, than unexposed women. An increased mortality rate went along with this.

She also discussed an interesting finding regarding women living in farm areas (with heavy pesticide use) in Brazil. Not only is occupational exposure to pesticides linked to breast cancer, but additionally - women having chronic (daily) exposure are also exposed to pesticide residues when washing clothing used by someone who had applied pesticides. Laundry exposure! Women absorb pesticide residues (e.g., glyphosate, atrazine) from the pesticide contaminated clothing, which increases the amount of pesticides in their bodies and this is also linked to breast cancer.

The women she looked at lived in farming areas, and additionally many had their residences frequently sprayed for insects. Ultimately, women exposed to high levels of pesticides tend to develop metastatic untreatable breast cancer, and at a younger age (unlike other areas where breast cancer is highly treatable). She pointed out that pesticides also have a negative effect on the immune system.

From the article by C. Pannis and B. Lemos: Pesticide Exposure and Increased Breast Cancer Risk In Women Population Studies

Women in rural regions are at risk for exposure to pesticides by equipment decontamination, unprotected clothes washing, pesticide drift, chemical spraying in the field, and other routes of exposure in the household. Pesticides can act on mammary gland cells in direct and indirect ways, augmenting the risk for breast cancer development. ...continue reading "Pesticides and Breast Cancer"

Published on Leave a comment on Pesticides and Pediatric Cancers

Cancer is feared by all. It seems to strike randomly, but not always. Certain cancers that occur in both children and adults, such as brain cancer and leukemia, are linked with some commonly used pesticides. Exposures to these pesticides occur many ways - whether from nearby  farm use, or in foods or the water  we drink, or air (pesticide drift), or residential use (e.g., the weed killer 2,4-D on lawns). Exposure is typically not to just 1 harmful chemical, but to mixtures of pesticides, especially on farms.

Children are especially vulnerable to pesticides. Research shows that there is an increase in some cancers in children in farm areas (e.g., Nebraska and the US midwest) where pesticides are heavily used. A recent study by Dr. Taiba and colleagues found that in Nebraskan counties with heavy farm pesticide use (especially Holt county) children living there had an increase not just in "overall pediatric cancers", but in specific types of cancers. These cancers included brain and other central nervous system tumors, leukemia, and lymphoma.

Keep in mind that in the US millions of pounds of pesticides are used each year, with farm areas having the heaviest use. Dr. Taiba reported that the US is the #1 country in the world in pesticide use. Among the most heavily used in the Nebraskan farms are atrazine, 2,4-D, glyphosate, dicamba, paraquat.

But don't ignore residential use of pesticides. Many of the same pesticides, such as glyphosate and 2,4-D, are commonly used in residential areas, especially for weed and insect control. Feed and Weed, which is used on lawns for weed control, contains 2,4-D. Pesticides have harmful effects on humans, and yet pesticide use is increasing annually.

From Beyond Pesticides: Dire Pediatric Cancer Risk Linked to Pesticide Mixtures, Laws To Protect Children Found To Be Lax

Childhood cancers are on the rise globally; in the U.S. cancer is the second most common cause of death in children between one and 14 years old, and the fourth most common in adolescents. A recent study of Nebraska pesticide use and pediatric cancer incidence by researchers from the University of Nebraska Medical Center and the University of Idaho Department of Fish and Wildlife Sciences found positive associations between pesticides and overall cancer, brain and central nervous system cancers, and leukemia among children (defined as under age 20). ...continue reading "Pesticides and Pediatric Cancers"

Published on Leave a comment on Male Sperm Counts Continue to Decline
Human sperm Credit: Wikipedia

When looking at the research, it is striking that so many chemicals that we are exposed to daily are harming us. Health harms include an increase in certain cancers (e.g., brain cancer and leukemia from certain pesticides) and reproductive effects. This can be seen clearly when research shows that sperm counts are declining globally 2.64% per year since 2000.

A recent report from HEAL (Health and Environmental Alliance in the European Union) found that along with this, infertility rates, testicular cancer, and prostate cancer are increasing. This is alarming!

HEAL’s report (author Dr. Cannarella) details alarming indications of catastrophe in male reproductive health: prostate cancer, testicular cancer, crashing sperm counts, infertility, and numerous developmental problems including cryptorchidism, urogenital malformations, and hypospadias. The report highlights pesticides, microplastics, phthalates, bisphenols, PFAS and heavy metals as the likely environmental sources of the crisis. There is evidence that all of these endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) adversely affect male reproductive function.

Excerpts from the latest research on the drop in sperm counts globally and declines in male reproductive health, the science report from HEAL: Chemical pollution and men’s health: A hidden crisis in Europe

A 2023 meta-analysis by Levine et al. showed that global sperm counts declined by 52% between 1973 and 2018. European countries showed similar or even steeper declines, especially in Western and Southern Europe. ...continue reading "Male Sperm Counts Continue to Decline"

Published on Leave a comment on The Foods You Eat and Their Link to Constipation

For years it has been known that increasing the amount of fiber (and drinking enough fluids) in a person's  diet helps to prevent constipation. A recent large multi-year study of 96,000 adults confirmed this: Mediterranean and plant-based diets prevented constipation, and Western and inflammatory diets (low fiber, high ultra-processed foods) raised constipation risk.

Vegetables, cruciferous vegetables (e.g., broccoli), legumes (beans, lentils, chickpeas), and fruits were all associated with reduced risks for constipation. High vegetable and nut consumption was especially good for preventing constipation. Additionally, a low carbohydrate diet showed a slight increased risk for constipation. Eating a diet rich in cereal fibers (e.g., white bread, low fiber breakfast cereals) and ultra-processed foods was linked to constipation.

Besides reducing constipation, many studies show that eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, seeds, nuts, legumes, such as the Mediterranean diet, is protective for cardiometabolic diseases (e.g., heart disease, heart attack, strokes, kidney disease, and type 2 diabetes), cancer, and even early death. This type of diet is high in fiber, has positive effects on the gut microbiome, and reduces chronic inflammation.

From Science Daily: What 96,000 adults taught scientists about preventing constipation

Chronic constipation becomes more common with age. Researchers from Mass General Brigham conducted a new study examining whether five widely followed diets could help prevent chronic constipation in middle- and older-age adults. The team monitored more than 96,000 participants for several years to see how long-term eating habits influenced the likelihood of developing this persistent gastrointestinal issue. Their analysis showed that people who routinely ate a Mediterranean or plant-based diet experienced a lower incidence of constipation. The findings appear in Gastroenterology. ...continue reading "The Foods You Eat and Their Link to Constipation"

Published on Leave a comment on Ultra-Processed Foods and Colon Polyps

Ultra-processed foods are linked to many health harms, including heart disease and type 2 diabetes. A recent large study of women found that they are also linked to colon adenomas (polyps) - which are precursors to colorectal cancer. The more ultra-processed foods in the diet, the higher the risk of polyps (adenomas).

There was a 45% greater risk of polyps in the group eating the most ultra-processed foods (about 10 servings per day), when compared to those eating the fewest ultra-processed foods (about 3 servings per day).

The researchers point out that the rise in the rates of colorectal cancer has occurred with the rise of ultra-processed food consumption. Currently, more than 50% of the diet of Americans consists of ultra-processed foods.

Other researchers suggest that there may be other contributing factors to the rise in colorectal cancer, such as low fiber in the diet (typical Western diet), and microplastics in the environment, which are found in our food, water, and beverages.

Bottom line: Eat a diet rich in whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and legumes. This will increase the amount of fiber in your diet, and lower your intake of ultra-processed foods. Read ingredient labels and if there is something that normally is not found in a person's kitchen, then it is ultra-processed.

Examples of ingredients found in ultra-processed foods: emulsifiers, carrageenan, mono- and diglycerides, soy lecithin, polysorbate, cellulose, colors, titanium dioxide, high fructose corn syrup, hydrogenated oils, dextrose, whey protein, nitrates, artificial flavors, natural flavors, colors, etc.

From Medical Xpress: Ultra-processed foods tied to higher rates of early-onset colorectal cancer precursors in adults

Colorectal cancer used to be associated with old age, but diagnoses have become increasingly common in adults aged 50 or younger particularly in high-income countries like the United States. The reason for this trend is unclear, but a new study led by Mass General Brigham researchers, as part of the Cancer Grand Challenges PROSPECT team, suggests an important link to ultra-processed foods that merits closer investigation. ...continue reading "Ultra-Processed Foods and Colon Polyps"

Published on Leave a comment on Weed-Killer Glyphosate and Cancer

Remember when back in 2015 the IARC (International Agency for Research on Cancer) said that the pesticide glyphosate (the active ingredient in Roundup) is a probable human carcinogen (cancer causing)? And the American chemical industry and FDA pooh-poohed that? Well, there have been a number of studies since then finding that yes, glyphosate results in tumors and other health harms, and is cancer causing (carcinogenic).

Glyphosate is a commonly used herbicide (weed killer), the most used herbicide in the world. Its use has been increasing annually, especially due to the increase in genetically modified crops being grown.

In the latest study, an international team of researchers found that long-term daily exposure (starting prenatally and continuing after birth) to low glyphosate levels considered "safe" by government agencies resulted in multiple benign and malignant tumors, and increased rates of early death in the rats after birth. Yes, the study was done with rats, but... they are mammals, just like us humans. Rats are frequently used in studies to assess chemical safety.

The doses used in the study are currently considered safe by regulatory agencies and correspond to the EU Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) and the EU’s No Observed Adverse Effect Level (NOAEL) for glyphosate. By the way, European standards are STRICTER than USA standards. A person eating a typical diet with non-organic foods easily ingests the levels considered acceptable by European governing bodies, and in the US ingests even more. [NOTE: Eat organic foods to avoid glyphosate.]

From Environmental Health News: Common pesticide causes multiple malignant tumors in rats

In short: Exposure to glyphosate herbicides caused multiple benign and malignant tumors in rats, including leukemia and cancers of the skin, liver, thyroid, nervous system, ovary, uterus, and kidneys, among others. ...continue reading "Weed-Killer Glyphosate and Cancer"

Published on Leave a comment on Medical Imaging Radiation and Increased Risk Of Blood Cancers In Children
Chest X-ray Credit: Wikipedia

A recent study found that there is an increased risk of blood cancers occurring in  children who receive X-rays and CT scans. And as the number of X-rays and CT scans go up (thus an increase in total cumulative dose of radiation), the risk of a blood cancer also increases.

The researchers refer to these increased number of cancers as "radiation-induced hematologic cancers". These include such cancers as  lymphoid cancers, leukemia, and histiocytic- or dendritic-cell cancers. They estimated that the number of these radiation-induced cancers is 1 in 10 blood cancers in children.

They advise only getting X-rays and CT scans if necessary, and consider getting an MRI or ultrasound instead (if possible).

From Medical Xpress: Study finds 10% of pediatric blood cancers may stem from medical imaging radiation

A study led by UC San Francisco and UC Davis has concluded that radiation from medical imaging is associated with a higher risk of blood cancers in children.

The researchers examined data from nearly 4 million children and estimated that one in 10 blood cancers—some 3,000 cancers in all—may be attributable to radiation exposure from medical imaging. The risk increased proportionally based on the cumulative amount of radiation the children received. ...continue reading "Medical Imaging Radiation and Increased Risk Of Blood Cancers In Children"

Published on Leave a comment on Taking Vitamin B3 Reduces the Risk of Another Skin Cancer
Basal cell carcinoma Credit: Wikipedia

Skin cancer (basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma) rates are rising. Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the U.S., with current estimates that 1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime. Unfortunately, a person can get repeat skin basal cell and squamous cell cancers. Yikes!

Interestingly, since 2015 studies are finding that a form of vitamin B3 called nicotinamide are a skin cancer preventive (chemopreventive) medication. That is, taking nicotinamide supplements reduces the risk of basal cell and squamous cell cancer development.

A recent study found that persons who already had one skin cancer removed, can significantly reduce the risk of a second skin cancer occurring if they ingest 500 mg of nicotinamide two times daily for more than one month. An overall 54% reduction in another skin cancer occurring in this group!

The biggest reduction of another skin cancer occurring was in those who had a squamous cell carcinoma removed. However the preventive effect was reduced in those who already had multiple (2 or more) skin cancers.

Excerpts from NPR: Vitamin B3 can help protect against skin cancer. Here's who may benefit

Doctors who perform skin cancer surgeries often recommend nicotinamide — which is a form of Vitamin B3 — to their patients. It's been shown to protect cells from UV radiation damage. ...continue reading "Taking Vitamin B3 Reduces the Risk of Another Skin Cancer"

Published on Leave a comment on Wireless Radiation and DNA damage
Cell tower Credit: Wikipedia

We love our wireless stuff - cell phones, laptops, and so many other devices. Manufacturers making these devices say the wireless radiation exposure from these devices is safe, but is it? Independent researchers have been raising concerns for years over wireless radiation (RF radiofrequency electromagnetic field or RF-EMF) exposures, while industry researchers say it's completely safe. Which is it?

Australian researchers recently analyzed more than 500 scientific studies and found that "evidence reveals that RF-EMF exposures may be genotoxic (damaging to DNA) and could pose a cancer risk". They pointed out that:

"Genetic alteration [damage] is a well-established trigger for cancer development (10). Genotoxicity is the ability of a physical or chemical agent to induce genetic damage, which may result in genetic mutations (11), and represents a critical pathway to cancer."

They also found strong evidence of bias in research design and results, with the funding of each study most important in determining results. 74% of the studies (done by independent researchers) reported genetic damage in both humans and animals from wireless radiation exposure. On the other hand, industry research funded by industry tended to find that there are no problems to health ("null results").

Now needed: Time for manufacturers to focus on lowering wireless radiation from the devices, antennas that point away from the body, and more caution and research on 5G towers and radiation.

From Environmental Health News: Wireless radiation exposure linked to DNA damage

A recent review published in Frontiers in Public Health analyzing more than 500 studies found that a substantial body of scientific research has reported genetic damage from wireless radiation exposure in both humans and animals.

    • Over half of the studies showing DNA damage found impacts at wireless exposure levels below the safety limits of most countries.

...continue reading "Wireless Radiation and DNA damage"

Published on Leave a comment on Exercise Is Beneficial In Cancer

Exercise helps fight cancer. Wow! What a headline. But is it true?

Researchers studied exercise, and its effect on gut microbes and the molecules they produce in response to the exercise. They found that certain gut microbes produce a metabolite (formate) that is increased with exercise and which boosts the potency of CD8 T cells in the immune system – which are key to fighting cancer. The initial tests were done in mice, but then the researchers took their results and applied them to humans with melanoma.

They found that in humans with melanoma, high levels of formate had longer progression-free survival (they live with the cancer, but it doesn't get worse). This is big news! Of course, further studies are ongoing.

Bottom line: Exercise is beneficial for all sorts of reasons, but one may be its effects on cancer. Studies find that exercise is known to help prevent cancer and suppress the growth of existing tumors.

From New Scientist: Exercise helps fight cancer – and we may finally know why

Exercise seems to help prevent cancer and reduce the growth of tumours, and that protective effect may be due to the way working out changes the gut microbiome. ...continue reading "Exercise Is Beneficial In Cancer"