Latest news with #Lung
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Your Meal Deal Might Be Raising Your Risk Of Lung Cancer, Study Warns
Eating ultra-processed food (UPFs) has already been linked to 32 harmful effects to health, including a raised risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease and early death. Now, another study has linked a higher intake of ultra-processed food to an increased risk of lung cancer. Lung cancer is the most common cancer in the world. It's the third most common cancer in the UK, with around 49,000 people diagnosed each year. Previous research has noted a 'significant association' between intake of UPF and the risk of several cancers, including colorectal, breast and pancreatic cancer. Here's what you need to know about the latest study. First up, what is ultra-processed food? Ultra-processed food typically undergoes multiple processing steps and contains long lists of additives and preservatives. It's often ready-to-eat or heat. Examples include ham, mass-produced bread, cereal, crisps and biscuits. It's thought more than half of the typical British daily diet is made up of ultra-processed food. But not all of these foods are terrible news – yoghurt and high-fibre cereals, for instance, can form a part of a healthy diet. There is however a clear link emerging between negative health outcomes and diets high in UPF. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) noted 'we still don't know whether it is because these foods are unhealthy because of how they are made, or if it's because a large majority of processed foods are high in calories, saturated fat, salt and sugar'. UPF intake also increases the risk of weight gain, overweight and obesity, which is the second biggest cause of cancer in the UK. As high consumption has already been linked to a heightened risk of several health conditions, researchers wanted to know if this might also include lung cancer. What did the new lung cancer study find? Researchers used data from the US Prostate, Lung, Colorectal and Ovarian (PLCO) Cancer Screening Trials, involving 155,000 participants aged 55–74. Cancer diagnoses were tracked until the end of 2009 and cancer deaths until the end of 2018. Some 101,732 people (50,187 men and 51,545 women; average age 62) who completed a Food Frequency questionnaire on their dietary habits on entry to the trials were included in the study. Foods were categorised as: unprocessed or minimally-processed; containing processed culinary ingredients; processed; and ultra-processed. The three types of UPF that featured the most were lunch meat (11%), diet or caffeinated soft drinks (just over 7%) and decaffeinated soft drinks (nearly 7%). Over a period of 12 years, 1,706 new cases of lung cancer were diagnosed, including 1,473 (86%) cases of non-small cell lung cancer and 233 (14%) of small cell lung cancer. After accounting for factors including smoking and overall diet quality, researchers discovered participants who ate a diet high in UPF were 41% more likely to be diagnosed with lung cancer than those who ate the least UPF. Specifically, they were 37% more likely to be diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer and 44% more likely to be diagnosed with small cell lung cancer. The findings were shared in the respiratory journal, Thorax. The study has major limitations The study is observational, so no firm conclusions can be drawn about cause and effect. The researchers also acknowledged they weren't able to factor in smoking intensity (worth noting given smoking is the main cause of lung cancer) and dietary information was collected once, so couldn't account for changes over time. In response to the study, Professor Sam Hare, consultant chest radiologist at the Royal Free London NHS Trust, said: 'A quarter of lung cancer cases occur in non-smokers so we do need research exploring whether other factors are associated with lung cancer. We also know immunity is linked to cancer biology so it is a good idea to do research into factors like diet.' Yet he said more work is needed to establish direct causation between UPFs and lung cancer. 'Crucially, whilst the study does make some adjustments for smoking status, the amount of smoking is not factored in, which is known to be directly related to lung cancer development,' he said. 'Dietary habits also change considerably over the course of such long term studies. As such, it is difficult to directly conclude that lung cancer is related to the level of UPF consumption alone given it was only declared at the start of the study.' Professor Tom Sanders, an expert in nutrition at King's College London, also noted the smoking link, and added: 'Unhealthy diets often go hand in hand with smoking habit and low socioeconomic status. But there appears to be no plausible mechanism to explain why ultra-processed food should affect risk of lung cancer.' Should you cut out UPFs? The study's researchers suggested limiting consumption of ultra-processed food may help curb the global toll of lung cancer. Supermarkets are home to thousands of UPF products, which can make it really hard to know where to turn during your weekly food shop. Often, these are the most affordable products, too. The British Heart Foundation previously advised: 'Instead of trying to completely cut out these foods, think about the balance in your diet. 'Make sure that there are minimally processed foods in there too – eat fruit and vegetables with your meals and drink water instead of sugary drinks – and try to fit in time over the week for home cooking.' Whole grains, fruit, and vegetables could help protect against cancer, so it's certainly worth trying to add more of these to your trolley if you can. Related... The 1 Processed Food That Is Actually Really Good For You, According To An Expert These Are The Ultra-Processed Foods Linked To Depression, Anxiety And 30 Other Conditions 'Ultra-Processed' Foods Are Linked To Cognitive Decline – And You're Probably Eating Them
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Food that makes up more than half of western diets linked to lung cancer
Ultra-processed foods filled with preservatives, additives and flavour enhancers have been linked to an increased risk of lung cancer. In the UK and US, more than half of the average diet consists of ultra-processed foods (UPFs), such as ready meals, fast food and fizzy drinks. A previous BMJ study in 2024 linked UPFs to 32 harmful health effects including a higher risk of heart disease, cancer, type 2 diabetes, adverse mental health and early death. Now, eating UPFs has been linked to lung cancer - the most common cancer in the world, according to the World Cancer Research Fund. There were an estimated 2.2 million new cases and 1.8 million deaths from the disease worldwide in 2020, researchers of the study published in the respiratory journal Thorax said. But limiting consumption of these foods may help curb the global impact of the disease, the researchers say. Although there is no exact definition of a UPF, these foods typically undergo multiple processing steps, contain long lists of additives and preservatives, and are ready-to-eat or heat. Researchers drew on data from the US Prostate, Lung, Colorectal and Ovarian Cancer Screening Trials, involving 155,000 participants aged 55 to 74 who were randomly assigned to either a screening or comparison group between November 1993 and July 2001. Cancer diagnoses were tracked until the end of 2009, and cancer deaths until the end of 2018. A total of 101,732 people (50,187 men and 51,545 women, with an average age of 62) who completed a questionnaire on their dietary habits upon entry to the trials were included in the study. Foods were categorised as: unprocessed or minimally processed; containing processed culinary ingredients; processed; or ultra-processed. The researchers focused in particular on UPFs that included sour cream, as well as cream cheese, ice cream, frozen yoghurt, fried foods, bread, baked goods, salted snacks, breakfast cereals, instant noodles, shop-bought soups and sauces, margarine, confectionery, soft drinks, sweetened fruit drinks, restaurant/shop-bought hamburgers, hot dogs, and pizza. The three types of food that featured the most were lunch meat (11 per cent), diet or caffeinated soft drinks (just over 7 per cent) and decaffeinated soft drinks (nearly 7 per cent). Participants were tracked for 12 years and in that time, 1,706 new cases of lung cancer were diagnosed, including 1,473 cases of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and 233 of small cell lung cancer (SCLC). After accounting for potentially influential factors, including smoking and overall diet quality, participants who ate the most UPFs were 41 per cent more likely to be diagnosed with lung cancer than those who ate the least. Overall, they were 37 per cent more likely to be diagnosed with NSCLC and 44 per cent more likely to be diagnosed with SCLC. Because it was an observational study and no firm conclusions can be drawn about cause and effect, researchers acknowledge that they weren't able to factor in smoking intensity, which may have been influential. Dietary information was collected only once, so they could not account for changes over time, and the number of cancer diagnoses was small. But researchers do highlight the low nutritional value of UPFs and the excessive amounts of salt, sugar and fats they contain. 'The rise in UPF consumption may have driven global increases in obesity, cardiovascular disease, metabolic disorders, cancer and mortality, as these foods are confirmed risk factors for such conditions,' the researchers suggested. 'Industrial processing alters the food matrix, affecting nutrient availability and absorption, while also generating harmful contaminants,' they added, highlighting acrolein, which is found in grilled sausages and caramel sweets and is a toxic component of cigarette smoke. Packaging materials may also have a role to play, they suggested. 'You can't say from this study that UPFs cause cancer as it's observational, so we're looking at associations, not direct effects. But it does strengthen the case for looking more closely at the food environment many people are living in where UPFs are cheap, convenient, and heavily marketed, making them a go-to for many,' Rob Hobson, nutritionist and author of Unprocess Your Family Life, told The Independent. He suggested, rather than 'pointing figures at individual foods', to instead make small shifts towards a healthier diet. 'That might mean cooking more from scratch where possible, adding in more whole foods like vegetables, beans and grains, or just becoming more aware of how often UPFs show up in your day,' he said. 'It's not about being perfect, it's about balance and understanding how your food choices could be supporting or undermining your long-term health.'
The Independent
12 hours ago
- Health
- The Independent
Food that makes up more than half of western diets linked to lung cancer
Ultra-processed foods filled with preservatives, additives and flavour enhancers have been linked to an increased risk of lung cancer. In the UK and US, more than half of the average diet consists of ultra-processed foods (UPFs), such as ready meals, fast food and fizzy drinks. A previous BMJ study in 2024 linked UPFs to 32 harmful health effects including a higher risk of heart disease, cancer, type 2 diabetes, adverse mental health and early death. Now, eating UPFs has been linked to lung cancer - the most common cancer in the world, according to the World Cancer Research Fund. There were an estimated 2.2 million new cases and 1.8 million deaths from the disease worldwide in 2020, researchers of the study published in the respiratory journal Thorax said. But limiting consumption of these foods may help curb the global impact of the disease, the researchers say. Although there is no exact definition of a UPF, these foods typically undergo multiple processing steps, contain long lists of additives and preservatives, and are ready-to-eat or heat. Researchers drew on data from the US Prostate, Lung, Colorectal and Ovarian Cancer Screening Trials, involving 155,000 participants aged 55 to 74 who were randomly assigned to either a screening or comparison group between November 1993 and July 2001. Cancer diagnoses were tracked until the end of 2009, and cancer deaths until the end of 2018. A total of 101,732 people (50,187 men and 51,545 women, with an average age of 62) who completed a questionnaire on their dietary habits upon entry to the trials were included in the study. Foods were categorised as: unprocessed or minimally processed; containing processed culinary ingredients; processed; or ultra-processed. The researchers focused in particular on UPFs that included sour cream, as well as cream cheese, ice cream, frozen yoghurt, fried foods, bread, baked goods, salted snacks, breakfast cereals, instant noodles, shop-bought soups and sauces, margarine, confectionery, soft drinks, sweetened fruit drinks, restaurant/shop-bought hamburgers, hot dogs, and pizza. The three types of food that featured the most were lunch meat (11 per cent), diet or caffeinated soft drinks (just over 7 per cent) and decaffeinated soft drinks (nearly 7 per cent). Participants were tracked for 12 years and in that time, 1,706 new cases of lung cancer were diagnosed, including 1,473 cases of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and 233 of small cell lung cancer (SCLC). After accounting for potentially influential factors, including smoking and overall diet quality, participants who ate the most UPFs were 41 per cent more likely to be diagnosed with lung cancer than those who ate the least. Overall, they were 37 per cent more likely to be diagnosed with NSCLC and 44 per cent more likely to be diagnosed with SCLC. Because it was an observational study and no firm conclusions can be drawn about cause and effect, researchers acknowledge that they weren't able to factor in smoking intensity, which may have been influential. Dietary information was collected only once, so they could not account for changes over time, and the number of cancer diagnoses was small. But researchers do highlight the low nutritional value of UPFs and the excessive amounts of salt, sugar and fats they contain. 'The rise in UPF consumption may have driven global increases in obesity, cardiovascular disease, metabolic disorders, cancer and mortality, as these foods are confirmed risk factors for such conditions,' the researchers suggested. 'Industrial processing alters the food matrix, affecting nutrient availability and absorption, while also generating harmful contaminants,' they added, highlighting acrolein, which is found in grilled sausages and caramel sweets and is a toxic component of cigarette smoke. Packaging materials may also have a role to play, they suggested. 'You can't say from this study that UPFs cause cancer as it's observational, so we're looking at associations, not direct effects. But it does strengthen the case for looking more closely at the food environment many people are living in where UPFs are cheap, convenient, and heavily marketed, making them a go-to for many,' Rob Hobson, nutritionist and author of Unprocess Your Family Life, told The Independent. He suggested, rather than 'pointing figures at individual foods', to instead make small shifts towards a healthier diet. 'That might mean cooking more from scratch where possible, adding in more whole foods like vegetables, beans and grains, or just becoming more aware of how often UPFs show up in your day,' he said. 'It's not about being perfect, it's about balance and understanding how your food choices could be supporting or undermining your long-term health.'
Los Angeles Times
18 hours ago
- Automotive
- Los Angeles Times
Waymo and Avis plan Dallas robotaxi launch
Alphabet Inc.'s Waymo plans to launch robotaxi service in Dallas next year in partnership with Avis Budget Group Inc., a push by the autonomous car company to diversify beyond its relationship with Uber Technologies Inc. to further expand across the US. In a first, Waymo said Avis will serve as the fleet partner for its robotaxis in Dallas. Customers can order rides on Waymo's app while Avis will provide car management services, including infrastructure, vehicle readiness, maintenance and general depot operations, the companies said Tuesday in a statement. The Dallas deal marks a multiyear partnership that Waymo and Avis plan to expand to more cities over time, according to the statement. Avis' foray into robotaxi fleet management sets it up as a competitor to Uber and Lyft Inc., which are positioning themselves to provide similar services for driverless cars in addition to their customer-centric rideshare program. 'Our partnership with Waymo marks a pivotal milestone in our evolution, from a rental car company to a leading provider of fleet management, infrastructure and operations to the broader mobility ecosystem,' Brian Choi, Avis chief executive officer, said in the statement. The announcement also underscores that Waymo and Uber are partners and rivals as robotaxi programs are introduced across the US. In the five cities where Waymo vehicles are currently available, it offers rides via its app in Phoenix, San Francisco and Los Angeles, while partnering with Uber in Phoenix, Austin and Atlanta. In the latter two markets, where Waymo rides are only available on the Uber app, Waymo is utilizing fleet services with Uber-backed partner Avomo. For its planned Miami launch next year, Waymo is providing the service through its app, but using operations from Uber-backed fleet management company Moove. Dallas will be a competitive robotaxi market with Uber and Lyft also planning to offer rides with their respective driverless technology partners. Uber is working with Austin-based Avride for a launch later this year, while Lyft plans to offer them with Intel Corp. spinoff Mobileye Global Inc. as soon as next year. Alphabet has been aggressively expanding Waymo's operations, which may also face increased competition from Tesla Inc. Earlier this month, Waymo more than doubled its service area in Austin, Tesla's home base. It also recently began testing in New York City and announced it will be doing the same in Philadelphia. Lung writes for Bloomberg.
Business Recorder
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Business Recorder
Labubu fans dote over ugly-cute doll trending at Comic-Con
SAN DIEGO: San Diego Comic-Con is the latest location where the ugly-cute dolls named Labubu have been trending, with fans carrying the plushies globally popularized by celebrities Rihanna, Lizzo, Dua Lipa, and Lisa from the K-pop group Blackpink. The wide-eyed and grinning doll was created in 2015 by Hong Kong artist and illustrator Kasing Lung. In 2019, Lung allowed them to be sold by Pop Mart, a Chinese toy company that sells collectible figurines, often in 'blind boxes'. 'Blind boxes' are sealed boxes containing a surprise item that is usually part of a themed collection. Naomi Galban, from San Diego, waited in line on Sunday at the Pop Mart booth in the San Diego Convention Center for a chance to get her first Labubu. 'Every time I go to a Pop Mart store, they're sold out,' the 24-year-old told Reuters. She hoped to buy one for her little sister. Emily Brough, Pop Mart's Head of IP Licensing, spoke to Reuters on Thursday about Labubu fans at Comic-Con. 'We love to see how fans are personalizing it (Labubu) for themselves,' Brough said next to the Pop Mart booth. While Brough noted that there were many people with a Labubu strapped to their bags and backpacks at Comic-Con, the doll's popularity did not happen overnight. Labubus had a huge boost in 2019 after Pop Mart began selling them, and in 2024, when Blackpink's Lisa, who is Thai, created a buying frenzy in Thailand after she promoted Labubu on social media. Pop Mart saw sales skyrocket in North America that same year, with revenue in the U.S. in the first quarter of 2025 already surpassing the full-year U.S. revenue from 2024, Pop Mart said. When he created Labubu, Lung gave the character, who is female, a backstory inspired by Nordic mythology. He called her and his other fictional creatures 'The Monsters.' Diana Goycortua, 25, first discovered Labubu through social media, and before she knew it, it felt like a 'game' to try and collect the dolls. 'It's a little bit of gambling with what you're getting,' the Labubu fan from San Diego said on Sunday while waiting at the Pop Mart booth, concluding that her love for the character made it worth trying blind boxes. Goycortua already has three Labubus, and was hoping to score her a fourth one at Comic-Con.
