Latest news with #IARC
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Health
- Hindustan Times
This one change in your night routine could dramatically lower your cancer risk
Cancer specialists are increasingly recognising that modern lifestyle habits — especially those affecting sleep — can influence long-term cancer risk. One of the most overlooked threats is the disruption of our body's internal clock due to artificial light, particularly the blue light emitted from digital screens. In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr Kiran Kamalasanan, consultant, surgical oncology at Apollo Cancer Centre in Guwahati, explained, 'Exposure to blue light late in the evening tricks the brain into thinking it's still daytime. This delays the release of melatonin — a hormone crucial not just for sleep quality but also for regulating cellular health and immune defense.' Studies suggest that melatonin helps suppress tumour growth and when its levels are reduced consistently, it may create a biological environment where cancer is more likely to develop. Epidemiological evidence links chronic circadian disruption, such as in night shift workers, with higher rates of breast, prostate and colorectal cancers. In fact, The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has identified night shift work involving circadian rhythm disruption as probably carcinogenic to humans. Dr Kamalasanan revealed, 'Our circadian rhythm is a master regulator—coordinating DNA repair, hormone release, and cell division. Disturbing this rhythm can trigger inflammation, reduce the effectiveness of cellular repair mechanisms and impair the body's ability to detect and eliminate abnormal cells.' Bringing her expertise to the same, Dr Ritika Hinduja, consultant, radiation oncology at PD Hinduja Hospital and Medical Research Centre in Mumbai's Mahim, shared, 'Poor sleep quality is a concerning public health issue. Circadian rhythm or the biological clock is the 24-hour internal clock in our brain that regulates cycles of alertness and sleepiness by responding to light changes in our environment. This is controlled by the hormone melatonin, produced by pineal gland in the brain.' Dr Ritika Hinduja pointed out, 'Disruptions in the body's 'biological clock', which controls sleep and thousands of other functions, may raise the odds of cancers of the breast, colon, ovaries and prostate. Exposure to light while working overnight shifts for several years may reduce levels of melatonin, encouraging cancer to grow.' Sleep deprivation also affects our immune system indicative of body being in inflammation. Dr Hinduja highlighted, 'Although vital for normal health, several decades of research have firmly implicated inflammation in the development and progression of cancer.' The English longitudinal study of ageing has assessed the relation between sleep quality and risk of cancer. Having studied over 10000 individuals, they concluded that poor sleep quality is positively associated with the long-term risk of developing cancer in an elderly cohort. Dr Hinduja concluded, 'Both medical staff and the general public should pay more attention to improving sleep hygiene. Cancer and sleep are intertwined in more than a single way. They emulate a chicken and egg phenomenon. Often, cancer survivors suffer from sleep problems, caused by psychological stress and recently proven, owing to the cancer and its treatment too.' Dr Kamalasanan suggested, 'Promoting healthy sleep habits — like reducing screen exposure at night, dimming lights after sunset, and following a regular sleep schedule — is not just good for mental clarity or energy; it may be a critical component in lowering cancer risk. Good sleep is not optional. It's one of the body's strongest and most natural, lines of defense.' Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Scientists Just Linked Alcohol Consumption to Another Form of Cancer
Reviewed by Dietitian Annie Nguyen, M.A., RDA new study linked alcohol consumption with an increased risk of pancreatic cancer. Beer and liquor were most significantly linked with the increased risk. The greatest risk was seen starting with one or two alcoholic drinks per you're celebrating a win, gathering with family and friends or with your sweetie on date night, many of us enjoy a cocktail now and then. But what about regularly imbibing? Does it pose any risks—or benefits? Though not a good reason to start drinking if you don't already imbibe, there is some evidence that drinking small amounts of red wine regularly may have health benefits for your heart. The emphasis here is on 'small amounts.' A typical serving size of wine is 5 ounces (beer is 12 ounces and liquor is 1.5 ounces). Despite alcohol's potential benefits, heavier drinking is associated with several negative health consequences, including liver damage and an increased risk of cancer. It also does a number on mental health, as it disrupts the brain's neurotransmitters, elevating the risk of anxiety, depression and impulsivity, and may even result in psychosis. Considering cancer, there is evidence that alcohol is a carcinogen, increasing the risk of many types of cancer, including breast, colon, esophageal and liver cancers. In fact, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) lists alcohol as a group-1 carcinogen, meaning that there's evidence that alcohol causes cancer and isn't just associated with it. But studies have been inconclusive regarding alcohol consumption and the risk of pancreatic cancer. Related: Cancer Rates Are on the Rise for Young People–Can Diet & Lifestyle Choices Lower the Risk? Pancreatic cancer is the 10th most common cancer in the U.S., with 67,000 Americans predicted to get pancreatic cancer in 2025—that's 184 people diagnosed every day. And while pancreatic cancer ranks 10th in the top 10 most common cancers, it's often caught at its later stages, making recovery less likely. Pancreatic cancer accounted for 5% of cancer-related deaths worldwide, and its incidence and mortality rates are 4 to 5 times higher in Europe, North America, Australia, New Zealand and Eastern Asia compared to other regions of the world. An international board of researchers took a closer look at the alcohol-pancreatic cancer association. They recently published their findings in PLOS Medicine. Let's break them down. Researchers drew data from 30 worldwide studies. Specifically, they were looking for alcohol intake and pancreatic cancer diagnoses to find associations between the two. This study included almost 2.5 million participants with an average age of 57, 62% of whom were women. Participants were followed for an average of 16 years, during which time, over 10,000 participants developed pancreatic cancer. Researchers also adjusted for demographic information during statistical analyses, including factors like sex, country, smoking habits, weight, height, race, ethnicity, education, physical activity and diabetes status. After running several statistical analyses, researchers found that, compared to light drinkers, moderate drinkers had a higher risk of developing pancreatic cancer. Moderate drinking included alcohol intakes of 30 grams or more per day for men and 15 grams or more per day for women. Fifteen grams is roughly equal to the amount of alcohol in about one standard serving size of any alcoholic drink. The association between drinking and pancreatic cancer risk went up with greater alcohol intake. Specifically: Each increase of 10 grams of alcohol per day was associated with a 3% increase in pancreatic cancer risk. In women, compared to light alcohol intake (0.1 to 5 grams/day), alcohol intake of 15 to 30 grams per day was associated with a 12% increased risk of pancreatic cancer. In men, alcohol intake of 30 to 60 grams per day and more than 60 grams per day was associated with a 15% and 36% increased risk, respectively. Interestingly, beer and liquor showed associations, but wine did not. There was also no association between alcohol and pancreatic cancer in Asian participants. This study does have some limitations. All alcohol intakes were self-reported, and it's known that people tend to underestimate their intake. This study also took a limited snapshot of alcohol consumption, taking only the previous year's intake into account—so it didn't take into account alcohol intake during younger years. It also didn't take into account different patterns of alcohol intake, including binge drinking. Related: What Happens to Your Body When You Drink Alcohol Regularly We know that alcohol can be a sensitive topic, but there is power in making informed decisions. Alcohol has been proven to cause several types of cancer, and this study suggests a connection between alcohol consumption and pancreatic cancer. And because pancreatic cancer is often not caught until it has progressed, treatment may be ineffective. If you average one drink a day as a woman or two drinks a day as a man, you may be increasing your risk of pancreatic cancer, according to this study. The risk may greatly increase as you drink more. This study did highlight that beer and liquor were the biggest offenders, so the jury is still out regarding wine. Experts at the National Institutes of Health note that drinking less is better for health than drinking more. It's important to assess your drinking habits. How often are you drinking? And when you do drink, how much are you drinking? Binge drinking has negative health consequences, too. Binge drinking is defined as having five or more drinks for men or four or more drinks for women in a sitting at least once in the past month. Cancer isn't the only thing alcohol is related to. While small amounts of red wine might support heart health, overimbibing increases your risk of heart disease. And though booze might help you fall asleep faster, it ultimately disrupts sleep. This may play a role in why alcohol can also lower immunity. Another area to assess regarding alcohol use is why you're drinking. Has it become an after-work habit that you might be able to replace with a healthier habit? Or are you using it to feel better or escape stress? If you feel you need help reducing how much you're drinking or help quitting, see your healthcare practitioner or call a you or someone you know is struggling with alcohol dependence, misuse or addiction, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 800-662-4357 for information on support and treatment facilities in your Is It Time to Rethink That Drink? What the Latest Science Says About Alcohol & Your Health This study suggests that regular drinking—about two drinks per day for men or one drink per day for women—may increase your risk of pancreatic cancer, and the risk goes up the more you drink. Beer and liquor showed the strongest associations. If you need help quitting or reducing drinking, reach out. Talk to a trusted friend, see your healthcare practitioner or call the SAMHSA helpline. Read the original article on EATINGWELL
Time of India
27-05-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
One Car Flame Retardant TCEP Deemed Carcinogenic: ICMR to NGT
New Delhi: Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has submitted its response to National Green Tribunal (NGT) concerning the presence of potentially carcinogenic chemicals in car interiors. The response comes in the wake of a study published in the journal Environmental Science and Technology, which found that several cars contain flame retardant chemicals considered potentially carcinogenic—specifically, Tris (1-chloro-isopropyl) phosphate (TCIPP), Tris (1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate (TDCIPP), and Tris (2-chloroethyl) phosphate (TCEP). Of these, the ICMR has recognised TCEP as a carcinogen. The ICMR's report, dated May 22, referenced several leading international agencies, including International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) under the World Health Organisation, United States Environmental Protection Agency (US-EPA), US National Toxicology Program (US-NTP), and European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). These organisations have published systematic reviews identifying carcinogenic chemicals to which humans may be exposed through ingestion, inhalation, or skin contact. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo ICMR stated that, according to IARC, the chemicals are classified into different groups based on the strength of evidence—human carcinogen, probable carcinogen, possible carcinogen, and unclassified. "As of today, only one of the compounds, namely TCEP, qualifies for any of these categories, specifically Group 3 (unclassified carcinogen), while the other two chemicals, namely TDCIPP and TCIPP, do not appear on the list. In addition to the above, it is humbly submitted that India follows the World Health Organisation-IARC on carcinogens," stated ICMR. "India follows the WHO-IARC classification on carcinogens," the ICMR stated in its submission. Additionally, ICMR offered to conduct a systematic review of existing scientific literature on the carcinogenic potential of these compounds if the NGT requires it. While the council has the laboratory expertise and equipment to test biological samples such as blood for traces of these chemicals, it clarified that it does not have the mandate or technical capacity to analyse environmental samples like air from car interiors. "Detection of TCIPP, TDCIPP, and their metabolites in biological samples can be carried out, especially for individuals regularly exposed to enclosed car environments," ICMR noted.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
After Biden's diagnosis: Prostate cancer facts every man should know
It's not particularly pleasant, but a digital rectal exam can save a man's life. Its purpose is to screen for cancer of the prostate gland, the second most frequent malignancy (after lung cancer) in men worldwide in 2020, and the leading one in more than half of the world's countries, according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). "Cancer touches us all," former US president Joe Biden wrote in a post on the online platform X on Monday, after it became known he has prostate cancer. Biden's office says it is an aggressive and advanced form of the disease that has spread to the bones, but that the condition can be managed. From warning signs to treatment options, here is some essential information for anyone with an ageing prostate. Who's especially at risk? "Prostate cancer is a disease of older men," says Dr Anno Graser, a Munich-based radiologist and prostate specialist. A 35-year-old man has a 0.1% risk of developing prostate cancer within the next 10 years, he notes, while a 75-year-old's risk is 5%. Joe Biden is 82. There were more than 1.41 million cases of prostate cancer worldwide in 2020, or 7.3% of total cancer cases, estimates the IARC, part of the World Health Organization (WHO). What are the warning signs? Usually there aren't any. "The body doesn't recognize that abnormal cells are multiplying uncontrollably, so there are typically no symptoms in the early stages," explains Dr Olaf Reichelt, chief physician in the Department of Urology and Paediatric Urology at the Helios Clinic in Aue, Germany. This is why screening is so important, he says. At an advanced stage, bone pain in the lower back, hips and ribs, or difficulty urinating, can occur. By this time, however, the cancer is likely to have metastasized, or spread, to nearby areas such as the spine or lymph nodes in the groin. How can prostate cancer be detected early? As mentioned above, one screening method is prostate palpation. Many early cancers are still too small to be felt though. Another method is a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test. PSA is protein produced by cells of the prostate gland, and men with prostate cancer often have an elevated level of PSA in their blood. However, some non-cancerous conditions can also cause a man's PSA level to rise. Men can lower the risk of having prostate cancer overlooked by getting both a digital rectal exam and a PSA test. But cancer specialists say this also increases the chances of false-positive results for cancer. A further screening method is multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI), regarded as the most sensitive and specific imaging technique for the detection and evaluation of prostate cancer. Is a rectal exam painful? While the procedure isn't particularly pleasant and may make you feel helpless, having your prostate palpated by a doctor is normally painless. During the exam, a doctor inserts a gloved, lubricated finger into the rectum and palpates, or feels, the prostate for any hard, lumpy or abnormal areas. It takes just a few minutes, after which you can feel good about having had a perhaps life-saving check-up. How dangerous is prostate cancer compared with other cancers? Prostate cancer is among the somewhat less aggressive cancers and curable if it hasn't reached an advanced stage. It's accountable for 3.8% of all mortality caused by cancer in men - more than 375,000 deaths annually - and estimated to be the fifth leading cause of cancer death in men globally, according to the IARC. Compared with cancer types that affect fewer men but kill a higher percentage of them, prostate cancer is curable about 90% of the time, Graser says. The earlier it's detected, the better the patient's prognosis. What are the treatment options? The type of treatment depends on several factors, including the patient's age, PSA level, biopsy result and any accompanying illnesses, points out Reichelt. If the patient is between 50 and 75 years of age and his cancer isn't at an advanced stage, the treatment is usually surgical removal of the prostate or radiation. While advanced prostate cancer is rarely curable, Reichelt says, in many cases it can be kept under control for several years with hormone, chemo- and immunotherapy. "Many men don't die of, but rather with, cancer carcinoma," he remarks. Doctors may recommend, for example, that an 80-year-old patient with a tumour that's not very aggressive not be treated at all. Will prostate surgery impact my pelvic floor? Most people don't give their pelvic floor a thought until it acts up. For women, this often happens during pregnancy and after childbirth, when coughing, sneezing or laughing can cause urine to leak - a sign of weakened pelvic floor muscles due to overstretching. But men, too, especially those impacted by prostate cancer, would do well to give some love to their pelvic floor, a dome-shaped sheet of muscles and connective tissue forming the base of the abdomen in both men and women. "An integral pelvic floor organ in men is the prostate," says urologist and andrologist Dr Wolfgang Bühmann. The prostate, a walnut-sized organ that sits below the bladder very close to the pelvic floor, plays a key role for the muscle sheet, explains Bühmann: "If it has to be removed due to cancer, the pelvic floor loses an essential buttress that's important for urinary continence." A weak pelvic floor can cause back pain as well as lead to abnormal curvature of the spine and herniated spinal discs - not to mention erectile dysfunction. Your doctor will be able to suggest certain exercises to strengthen your pelvic floor as needed.
Hans India
30-04-2025
- Health
- Hans India
Raising Awareness and Prevention of Head and Neck Cancer
Cancer is a debilitating illness that remains a persistent threat to humanity and is one of the leading causes of death globally. It is imperative to recognize the prevalence of head and neck cancers, the seventh most common cancer in the world. Head and neck cancers exhibit a continuous rising trend of prevalence and incidence rates across the globe and more prevalent in developing nations like India where it is responsible for significant cancer-related mortality rate. In India, Head neck cancers cause over 1,25,000 deaths annually, accounting for a significant 30 percent of all cancer cases as per the latest Global Cancer Observatory (GLOBOCAN) estimates produced by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and disseminated as Cancer Today on GLOBOCAN website database. The GLOBOCAN 2024 database includes seven types of head and neck cancers, including the lip and oral cavity, hypopharynx, nasopharynx, oropharynx, salivary gland, larynx, and thyroid cancer. These categories are made according to the International Classification of Diseases Related Health Problems; 10th Revision (ICD-10) based on anatomical location of tumor. The estimated rise in the incidence rate was predicted until 2050. The highest prevalence was reported for lip and oral cavity cancer which was 26.31, 17.07, and 6.4 for the 5 years, 3 years, and 1 year per 100,000 individuals respectively. The percent risk of rise of new cancer cases by the year 2050 is maximum for oropharynx cancer (103.9%). In India, the number of cancer cases is rising and it is estimated that there will be approximately 2.1 million new cancer cases in India by 2040, an increase of 57.5% from the year 2020. Tobacco addiction is one of the most important and significant risk factors for head neck cancers, especially oral cancers. Tobacco use has been identified as a risk factor in 80 to 90% of patients with oral cancer. Tobacco use in India is characterized by a high prevalence of combustible (in the form of smoking) and smokeless tobacco use, with dual use also contributing a noticeable proportion. Tobacco and alcohol consumption synergistically increase the likelihood of cancer by 500 times. Head neck cancers can manifest with various symptoms depending on the location and stage of the cancer. Some common signs and symptoms include swelling or lumps, pain, difficulty swallowing, changes in Voice, persistent sore throat, ear pain, difficulty breathing, unexplained weight loss, bleeding, and numbness One of the significant challenges in combating Head neck cancers in India is the late presentation of cases. Due to a lack of awareness, limited access to healthcare facilities in remote regions, and sociocultural beliefs, patients often seek medical help at advanced stages of the disease, reducing treatment options and chances of successful outcomes. Treatment for head and neck cancer typically involves a multidisciplinary approach, including surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy and in recent years, advancements in medical technology have led to targeted therapies and immunotherapy Prevention is better than cure. Head neck cancers can be prevented by Avoiding consumption of tobacco (in any form) and alcohol is the best strategy for oral and head & neck cancer prevention. Maintenance of good oral hygiene HPV vaccine is now available that helps in the prevention of HPV-associate oropharyngeal cancer. Regular screening As the healthcare stand poised on the edge of discovery, crucial innovations entail developing patient-focused and patient-friendly treatment modalities for head neck cancers. April which is a Head neck cancer awareness month, let us all take a pledge to unite together in our fight against head neck cancers. (The writer is a Consultant -Head & Neck Surgical Oncology & Robotic Surgery Apollo Cancer Centre, Visakhapatnam)
