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Category: cancer

Published on Leave a comment on Dairy Foods Benefit Our Gut Microbes

It's good to eat and drink dairy foods! Consuming dairy foods is beneficial for the gut microbiome, but each dairy food - whether milk, cheese, or yogurt - appears to have  different effects on the composition of the gut microbiome (the community of bacteria, viruses, fungi).

A recent small study found that consuming higher amounts of dairy foods is beneficial for the gut microbiome, and resulted in a greater variety of bacterial species (this is considered good for health). There was more abundance of the beneficial bacteria Bifidobacterium, a bacteria associated with digestive health and immune support.

Consumption of milk was especially beneficial in boosting a variety of beneficial bacteria (Faecalibacterium) known for their anti-inflammatory properties.

Higher amounts of total dairy foods consumed was associated with lower levels of Bacteroides, which are linked to inflammatory conditions and colorectal cancer.

Excerpts from news-medical.net: Milk boosts gut-friendly bacteria while cheese alters microbiome balance, study reveals

In a recent study published in the journal Nutrients, researchers in the United States explored the influence of dairy consumption on colonic mucosa-associated gut microbiota. By investigating specific bacterial composition changes linked to dairy intake, they highlighted its implications for individual and public health. ...continue reading "Dairy Foods Benefit Our Gut Microbes"

Published on Leave a comment on Eating Yogurt Associated With A Lower Risk For Some Colorectal Cancers
Yogurt Credit: Wikipedia

Some foods are considered good for the gut microbiome. Yogurt, which is loaded with beneficial bacteria, is one of them. A recent study found that eating yogurt two or more times a week for long periods of time (years!) is associated with a lower risk for several types of colorectal cancer.

However, it must be noted that the study found that eating yogurt, whether frequently or not, did NOT have an association with overall colorectal cancer incidence. It was just with colon cancer that had Bifidobacterium-positive tumors (31% of colon cancers in this study). Persons eating 2 or more yogurts per week had a 20% lower incidence of Bifidobacterium-positive tumors.

Yogurt contains Bifidobacterium bacteria, a bacteria that is considered tumor-suppressive. By the way, all fermented dairy products (e.g., kefir, buttermilk, cheese) have long been viewed as beneficial to health, and they all contain a variety of microbes, including Lactobacillus species.

From Science Daily: Long-term yogurt consumption tied to decreased incidence of certain types of colorectal cancer

Yogurt, which contains live strains of bacteria, is thought to protect against many types of diseases, with some reports indicating it could reduce risk of colorectal cancer. ...continue reading "Eating Yogurt Associated With A Lower Risk For Some Colorectal Cancers"

Published on Leave a comment on Hair Stylists Are Exposed to High Levels of Harmful Airborne Chemicals
Hair salon Credit: Wikipedia

Hairdressers are exposed to lots of harmful airborne chemicals in the products they and others use in hair salons. And it's every day they work, all day. A recent study found that the chemical exposure is especially high for hair stylists serving Black and Latina clients.

The airborne chemicals from the products hairdressers use (e.g., straighteners, relaxers, chemicals in permanents, hair dyes, sprays) are called volatile organic compounds (VOCs). They are air pollutants. These chemicals can pose health risks, such as reproductive effects, respiratory problems, cardiovascular effects, cancer, and skin and respiratory irritation. One common VOC hairdressers are exposed to is formaldehyde.

The study found that the level of VOCs in the air was much, much lower in office spaces not connected to the hair salons. Of course.

From Medical Xpress: Hairstylists serving Black and Latina clients exposed to high concentrations of airborne toxins

Hairstylists, especially those providing services to Black and Latina women, are exposed to high concentrations of harmful airborne chemicals in their workplace, a team of Johns Hopkins researchers has found.

The study, published in the Journal of Environmental Exposure Assessment, is the first to report indoor air concentrations of several volatile organic compounds or VOCs in U.S. hair salons serving this group of women. This builds on previous Johns Hopkins research that found Black and Hispanic hairdressers had higher levels of chemicals from hair relaxers, dyes, and other salon products in their bodies compared to office workers but did not specifically measure air concentrations of the chemicals. ...continue reading "Hair Stylists Are Exposed to High Levels of Harmful Airborne Chemicals"

Published on Leave a comment on Another Reason to Avoid High-Fructose Corn Syrup
Soda Credit: Wikipedia

More worrisome news about high-fructose corn syrup. Researchers found that high fructose corn syrup actually speeds up and fuels the growth of cancer tumors in animals who already have cancer.

While this study was done in mice (with either breast cancer, melanoma, or cervical cancer), it is actually a scary finding because so many foods that Americans ingest daily contain high-fructose corn syrup. It is a sugar derived from corn starch and found in many foods: baked goods, soda, fast food, cereals, ice cream, etc. If you see it in an ingredient list, it means it is an ultra-processed food.

Bottom line: Read food ingredient lists and try to avoid eating foods with high-fructose corn syrup.

Excerpts from US Right To Know: High-fructose corn syrup fuels tumor growth in animals with cancer, a new study shows

High-fructose corn syrup, a sweetener commonly used in soda and ultra-processed foods, accelerates cancer tumor growth via the liver, according to research published last week [Dec. 4, 2024] in Nature.

High-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is a sugar derived from corn starch. High fructose intake has been shown to contribute to the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and obesity, both of which are associated with systemic inflammation and altered lipid metabolism (the way the body processes fats). It has also been linked to diabetes, heart disease, and colorectal cancer. ...continue reading "Another Reason to Avoid High-Fructose Corn Syrup"

Published on Leave a comment on Some Pesticides Are Linked to Prostate Cancer

Pesticides are once again in the news as being linked to cancer. A recent study found that 22 pesticides show direct associations with prostate cancer in the US, and 4 of these pesticides are associated with death from prostate cancer.

The Stanford Univ. researchers also found that the more these pesticides were used in a county-wide area, the greater the association with prostate cancer. They analyzed a total of 295 pesticides across US counties. One of the pesticides associated with prostate cancer is 2,4-D, which is commonly used on lawns as a weed-killer, for example in Feed and Weed products. [Note: it was also one of the 2 pesticides in Agent Orange).

Earlier studies also found a link with some of the pesticides and prostate cancer, including 2,4-D. But this study found a link with 19 more.

The four pesticides associated with death from prostate cancer are three herbicides (trifluralin, cloransulam-methyl, and diflufenzopyr) and one insecticide (thiamethoxam). But of these, only trifluralin is classed by the Environmental Protection Agency as a "possible human carcinogen". (Yes, current studies used to evaluate pesticides are inadequate)

Bottom line: Avoid the use of pesticides as much as possible. Organic methods or least toxic integrated pest management (IPM) is best. On lawns - embrace diversity and view weeds as wildflowers, and your lawn a bee habitat.

From Medical Xpress: Study reveals links between many pesticides and prostate cancer

Researchers have identified 22 pesticides consistently associated with the incidence of prostate cancer in the United States, with four of the pesticides also linked with prostate cancer mortality. The findings are published in Cancer. ...continue reading "Some Pesticides Are Linked to Prostate Cancer"

Published on Leave a comment on Many Household Items Contaminated With Flame Retardants
Kitchen spatula Credit: Wikipedia

If you already suspected that we are surrounded by toxic chemicals in our homes - yes, your suspicions are true. A new study found that toxic flame retardants are in many household items that we use daily, specifically black plastic items (e.g., kitchen utensils, toys, takeout containers). That's because black plastic items tend to include recycled plastics.

In the study the researchers tested 230 store-bought items in the Seattle area for flame retardants, and found flame retardants in 85% of them. All the tested items were of black plastic or had black plastic somewhere in them (e.g., underside of  toy cars). Showing that the flame retardants are pervasive, the 10 items with the highest levels of flame retardants were a sushi tray, toy car, peeler, travel checkers set, toy beads, and other kitchen utensils.

The problem with recycled plastics is that much of it comes from plastic that originally had flame retardants and other toxic chemicals added to it, for example electronics and electric products. When these recycled plastics are added to ordinary household items, the original toxic chemicals are in them, and now the consumer gets exposed to them. For example, in food utensils, toys, takeout containers, office supplies, and more. These items do NOT need flame retardants in them.

The study found that up to 2.3% of the weight of the household products were flame retardants. Some of the chemicals they found have been phased out, but are still winding up in recycled plastic. Studies show that flame retardants migrate from cooking utensils into food, and from toys into saliva. These chemicals are linked to cancers, endocrine and reproductive problems, and other health problems. Also, they tend to bioaccumulate in the environment and in people. Yikes!

Bottom line: At this point try to avoid black plastic items or items with some black plastic, especially in toys, food containers, and kitchen/household products. Right now view all "recycled plastic" items as problematic and to be avoided.

From Medical Xpress: From kitchenware to toys, household items linked to toxic flame retardants

From toys to kitchenware to food takeout trays, researchers have discovered a toxic chemical banned for its link to cancer in many common household items. Exposure to the flame retardant can come with serious health risks. ...continue reading "Many Household Items Contaminated With Flame Retardants"

Published on Leave a comment on Can Mammograms Increase Risk of Breast Cancer?
Mammography image Credit: National Cancer Institute

Women have been advised by their doctors to get frequent mammograms for decades. However, what if frequent (e.g., annual) mammograms result in an increased risk for breast cancer due to exposure to X-rays? After all, there is a cumulative dose from the mammograms - year after year you get exposed to a little ionizing radiation, but it builds up over time.

Dr. Seth Hardy (radiologist and Associate Professor at Penn State Univ.) discusses this issue, while referencing research by Dr. Daniel Corcos about the possibility of some breast cancers occurring from the cumulative radiation from previous mammograms. This is because radiation is a carcinogen (can cause cancer).  [NOTE: studies find that over the years breast cancer treatments have so improved that any benefits of mammography screening are diminished.]

From Dr. Seth Hardy, writing at Sensible Medicine: The Ethics of Screening Mammography

The value of breast cancer screening with mammography is increasingly being questioned. Women are trying to decide what is right for them and the USPSTF is trying to decide what is worthy of reimbursement. Currently, the medical literature is at a stalemate.[1]1 ...

Screening mammography uses ionizing radiation, a known carcinogen. The dose of radiation in each exam is very low, but exposure is cumulative. Also, the absorbed dose varies with the density of the breast. Women with more glandular tissue receive a higher exposure. Thus, over decades of screening, radiation exposure may not be trivial, particularly in women with extremely dense breasts. 

Across a population there is some percentage of breast cancers which are caused by screening mammography. The exact number is the subject of debate and not well studied. One article from 2011 approximates 86 cancers and 11 deaths per 100,000 women due to breast cancer screening. Another paper estimates 20-25 fatalities for 100,000 women screened starting at age 40. Due to lack of data, and ethical limitations in obtaining more data, we do not know how many breast cancers are caused by screening. ...continue reading "Can Mammograms Increase Risk of Breast Cancer?"

Published on Leave a comment on Forever Chemicals Are Linked To Colorectal Cancer
Intestines Credit: Wikipedia

A number of things can contribute to the development of colorectal cancer (colon cancer), such as highly processed foods, eating a Western diet low in fiber, or the bacteria Fusobacterium nucleatum. These are known to contribute to or result in the gut microbiome being out of whack (gut dysbiosis).

Another factor is perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), which are chemicals we all are exposed to in everyday life. A recent study illustrated how long-term exposure to PFOS can also contribute to the development of colorectal cancer because of the effect it has on intestinal cells in the intestines.

PFAS and PFOS (Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are called forever chemicals due to their buildup (bioaccumulation) and persistence in people and the environment. We get exposure to these chemicals various ways - through ingestion (food and water), inhalation (dust), and from absorption through the skin (e.g., personal care products).

They are widely used chemicals, such as in non-stick coatings (e.g., pots and pans) and stain and water repellent products. We get exposure to these chemicals various ways - through ingestion (food and water), inhalation (dust), and from absorption through the skin (e.g., personal care products).

They are in all of us at varying levels, and they have harmful health effects. Effects include cancer, reproductive harm (e.g., poorer semen quality), birth defects, lowered sex and growth hormones in children, thyroid disease, immune effects, and liver and kidney damage. They are endocrine disruptors.

The chemical industry would have you think that the newer PFAS chemicals that replace the older ones are "safer", but guess what? They're not. They're very similar chemically, so it shouldn't be surprising that they don't appear to be safer.

Bottom line: You can't totally avoid PFAS chemicals, but you can lower your exposure to them. If possible, avoid products that are water and stain proof or leak-proof, especially if children will be using the product. Don't use nonstick cookware, stain resistant carpeting and fabrics, clothing treated to be water-proof, and synthetic turf. PFAS and PFOS don't have to be mentioned on labels, so it's buyer beware.

From Medical Xpress: Study links 'forever chemical' PFOS with colorectal cancer

A recent University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center study sheds light on how the environmental pollutant perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) may affect our intestines and possibly increase the risk of developing colorectal cancer. ...continue reading "Forever Chemicals Are Linked To Colorectal Cancer"

Published on Leave a comment on Another Vitamin D Study With Disappointing Results

Recently, another well done study of vitamin D and cancer resulted in disappointing results. Vitamin D supplements showed no benefit in persons with metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC). It did not result in a difference in overall survival outcomes.

In the study, 455 patients with metastatic colorectal cancer were assigned randomly to either high daily vitamin D3 or standard dose vitamin D3, in addition to receiving standard chemotherapy. The high dose vitamin D group received a loading dose of 8000 IU per day for 2 weeks, followed by a maintenance dose of 4000 IU per day until the end of the study. The standard dose vitamin D group received 400 IU per day.

However, there was no difference in "significant progression-free survival benefit". There also was no significant difference in how long people survived in the 2 groups (a median of 25.6 months in the high-dose group, and 27.0 months in the standard dose group).

The study results were disappointing because in laboratory studies vitamin D has anticancer properties. Critics of this study pointed out that vitamin D supplementation may have a role in cancer prevention - but at this point, that is unknown.

From Medscape: High-Dose Vitamin D Disappoints in Metastatic CRC: SOLARIS

The addition of high-dose vitamin D supplementation to standard chemotherapy plus bevacizumab did not result in a significant progression-free survival benefit in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) in the SOLARIS study. ...continue reading "Another Vitamin D Study With Disappointing Results"

Published on Leave a comment on A Promising Antibiotic For Gum Disease

The bacteria Fusobacterium nucleatum is prevalent in periodontal disease (gum disease), but also in some chronic diseases and cancers, such as colorectal cancer. The bacteria F. nucleatum is normally found in the mouth (oral) microbiome, and its numbers increase as periodontal disease inflammation increases.

It is thought that sometimes the bacteria leaves the mouth and travels to other parts of the body, where it can promote cancer and other diseases.

A recent study found that the antibiotic FP 100 (Hygromycin A) totally eliminates the F. nucleatum bacteria in the mouth, and without causing harm to the mouth microbiome or gut microbiome. This is because it is a narrow spectrum antibiotic - only targets the harmful bacteria, and not all (both good and harmful) bacteria. While the study was only done in mice, this is promising and welcome news.

Eliminating the harmful bacteria in the mouth would potentially prevent some chronic diseases and cancers. Now we need further studies to see if this finding holds up in humans.

From Medical Xpress: First narrow-spectrum antibiotic successfully eliminates  Fusobacterium nucleatum, a gum disease pathogen

In a study published in the Journal of Oral Microbiology, ADA Forsyth scientists found that FP 100 (Hygromycin A), a first-in-class, small molecule, narrow-spectrum antibiotic, successfully eradicates Fusobacterium nucleatum without harming the oral or gut microbiomes. ...continue reading "A Promising Antibiotic For Gum Disease"