Latest news with #cancerrisk
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Physical hobby loved by millions shockingly linked to colon cancer in young people for first time
It's an activity loved by the health-conscious, but long distance running might raise the risk of colon cancer in young people. A study has found that 35 to 50 years old who regularly run marathons are more likely to develop precancerous tumors in their colon, precursors of the disease. Your browser does not support iframes.
Daily Mail
26-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Doctor issues cancer warning over popular quick dinner - 'it could increase risk by 55%'
It's a cheap student staple that makes an speedy lunch or tasty snack. But regularly consuming instant noodles could be wreaking havoc on your health, dramatically raising the risk of deadly stomach cancer, according to top oncology medic, Dr Tim Tiutan. Processed foods packed with salt have been vilified for decades over their supposed risks, with dozens of studies linking them to type 2 diabetes and other conditions including heart attacks and strokes. Yet, instant noodles, like many other salt-laden processed foods, could also raise cancer risk by leaving the stomach more prone to the cancer-causing bacteria Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), the internal medicine doctor at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre in New York, said. In an Instagram reel watched more than 88,000 times, Dr Tiutan told his followers: 'High salt diets can increase cancer risk by disrupting your stomach lining and fueling H. pylori infections—a major driver of stomach cancer. 'Excessive salt is associated with increasing stomach cancer risk by 55 per cent and may even double the risk when H. pylori is present. 'So, reduce your salt intake to one teaspoon per day and try to eat high salt foods like these sparingly. 'Bacon, ham, hot dogs, sausages, deli meats, preserved foods, canned soups, instant noodles.' He added: 'This isn't about fear-mongering. Small diet changes can lower cancer risk. Sodium is essential to life, but too much can be harmful. 'High salt intake leads to hypertension and other chronic medical conditions too. 'Sometimes health providers ask patients to take in more salt for various medical reasons, which people should follow.' Doctors have for years warned that consuming too much salt can ultimately lead to health conditions including heart attacks and strokes. The NHS recommends adults should have no more than 6g—around one teaspoon—of salt a day. But research suggests adults consume up to ten times the amount of sodium—the metallic element in salt—required for their metabolisms every day. H. pylori, or Helicobacter pylori, is a type of bacteria that 40 per cent of people carry in their stomach. In between 80 and 90 per cent of cases it doesn't cause symptoms, however it can trigger stomach ulcers, indigestion, bloating or nausea. H. pylori can be detected with a blood, breath or stool sample test—and treated with antibiotics and other medicines. It has long been known that excessive salt intake can worsen H. pylori infection—one of the strongest known risk factors for stomach cancer. Other factors including smoking can also raise the risk of H. pylori leading to cancer, according to Cancer Research UK. Research published last year assessing salt and stomach cancer risk among more than 470,000 UK adults found regular use at the table could increase the risk by up to 41 per cent compared to those who rarely or never add salt. Another in the British Journal of Cancer also concluded people who consistently eat highly salted foods may double their risk of stomach cancer. It comes as scientists last year sounded the alarm over the 'disturbing' rise in young adults with stomach cancer. Although cases are falling in older people, in the past few years has been an annual two per cent uptick in under 50s being diagnosed, leaving experts baffled. Worryingly, in half of these cases the cancer is already advanced—meaning it is 'almost a death sentence', with just a four per cent survival rate. About 6,500 patients in Britain and 30,000 in the US are diagnosed with stomach cancer each year. The disease kills roughly 4,000 Britons and 11,000 Americans every year. If caught in its earliest stages, the majority of stomach cancer patients (65 per cent) will survive a decade after their diagnosis according to charity Cancer Research UK. However, for stage four patients, 10-year survival drops to just one in five. Common symptoms of the condition include indigestion, lack of appetite, a feeling of fullness, bleeding, blood in the stools, blood clots or sickness. The UK is the worst in Europe for eating salt-laden ultra-processed foods (UPFs), which make up an estimated 57 per cent of the national diet. The umbrella term UPFs is used to cover anything edible made with colourings, sweeteners and preservatives that extend shelf life. They are thought to be a key driver of obesity, which costs the NHS around £6.5billion a year treating weight-related disease like diabetes, heart disease and some cancers. Last year, disturbing data also suggested that children who ate lots of UPFs show early signs of poor heart health and diabetes risk factors from as young as three years old.
Health Line
21-05-2025
- Health
- Health Line
Microplastics and Nanoplastics: Differences, Sources, and Health Impacts
Plastic breaks down into tiny micro- and nanoparticles that may potentially impact the reproductive and digestive systems and raise your risk of cancer. But these are just early findings based on low levels of evidence. With an increase in research about the impact of plastics on our health and the environment, you might have come across the terms 'nanoplastics' and 'microplastics.' Here's how the two terms are defined, and what they mean for your health. Differences between microplastics and nanoplastics One way to distinguish between microplastics and nanoplastics is by size, which their prefixes point to. 'Micro-' denotes a size of one millionth, and 'nano-' denotes a size of one billionth. Simply put, this means that nanoplastics are smaller than microplastics. According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA): Microplastics are typically considered to be less than 5 millimeters in size in at least one dimension. Nanoplastics are typically considered to be less than 1 micrometer in size in at least one dimension. But the FDA doesn't have standard definitions for the sizes of these plastics. These descriptions are used for reference purposes only. Where do microplastics and nanoplastics come from? Both micro- and nanoplastics come from a human-made material — plastic. Plastic is a major or partial component of many household products or items used daily, such as: appliances toys tools storage containers tires clothing You'll know something is made from plastic if it has a label that contains: polystyrene (styrofoam) polyethylene nylon polytetrafluoroethylene (teflon) polyvinyl chloride polypropylene polyester You may also notice a recycling symbol or a small triangle with a number between 1 and 7 inside, which denotes the type of plastic the item is made from. Because most plastics don't break down in the environment (biodegrade) like paper, cotton, and other plant-based materials, they break down into smaller micro- and nanoparticles. These microplastics and nanoplastics may contaminate soil and water if improperly disposed of, and if adequate safety precautions are not taken to minimize their contamination in the food and water supply. They may also be present in the air and absorbed through some personal care products. What are the potential health impacts of microplastics and nanoplastics? The FDA suggests that, based on available research as of 2024, the levels of microplastics and nanoplastics in foods and the environment are not enough to pose a risk to human health. As 2020 research suggests, the knowledge on levels of exposure from ingestion, inhalation, and skin contact is limited, and more long-term studies in humans are needed. But a 2021 research review found that microplastics and nanoplastics may impact the immune, respiratory, gastrointestinal, and hepatic (liver-related) systems. A more recent review ' suspects ' potential links to harm in human reproductive and digestive systems, as well as a link to colon and lung cancer. Other research suggests that micro- and nanoplastics may accumulate in fish brains and human semen and be released upon chewing gum and steeping nylon or polyethylene terephthalate teabags. Some current theories propose that once in your cells, micro- and nanoplastics may disrupt or change their functioning by causing: Still, the level of evidence for these findings is low Regardless of what recent studies have found, most state that the effects likely depend on the size, type, and amount of plastic ingested, inhaled, or absorbed, which is difficult to measure. Experts are calling for more research, because how microplastics and nanoplastics may affect body systems is still not well understood. Should you be worried about consuming plastic? Plastic is a major component of today's manufacturing processes and won't likely be going away anytime soon. Most published studies can only prove an association, not causation, between microplastics and nanoplastics and health impacts. Experts are calling for more research before reaching any firm conclusions. However, you can still find ways to minimize your exposure, such as: choosing clothing that's made from natural materials, such as cotton, linen, silk, or wool limiting your use of plastic storage containers, especially for food, and opting for glass or other alternatives instead filtering water, especially if it's from the tap
The Sun
15-05-2025
- Health
- The Sun
Your blood type could increase your risk of breast cancer by 18% – do you know yours?
ONE of the most common blood types has been identified as a potential breast cancer risk factor by scientists. Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women worldwide, so identifying risk factors is vital for early detection and prevention. 2 While many studies have explored lifestyle and genetic causes, a new study focused on the ABO blood group system. By pooling global data, the researchers found blood type A was the most common among breast cancer patients, and was linked to an 18 per cent increased risk compared to type O. In the UK, the most common blood type is O positive (O+), followed by A positive (A+). O positive is found in about 36 per cent of the population, while A positive is found in around 30 per cent. AB negative (AB-) is the rarest blood type, making up only one per cent of the population. The study didn't find a significant association between breast cancer and blood types B, AB, or Rh factor. Blood groups are determined by the presence or absence of specific antigens on the surface of red blood cells. The ABO system, which includes the A, B, and O antigens, and the Rh factor (RhD antigen) are the most important determinants of blood type. Rh-positive individuals have the RhD antigen, while Rh-negative individuals lack it. The researchers suggested blood group antigens in breast tissue may influence how cancer develops and spreads by interacting with the immune system or affecting cell behaviour. This study is the most extensive review to date on this topic, based on studies conducted across Asia, Europe, Africa and the Americas. The researchers also noted regional differences, genetic diversity, and study quality may affect individual results. But the overall trend supports considering blood type A as a potential risk marker. This insight could help shape screening guidelines, encouraging earlier or more frequent checkups for women with this blood type. Further researcher is needed to understand why blood type A may play a role in cancer development. How to find out your blood type 2 To determine your blood type, a sample of your blood needs to be taken and tested, usually by a blood donation service or a doctor. Who is more likely to get breast cancer? ANYONE can get breast cancer and it's not always clear what causes it. But the NHS says you might be more likely to get it if you: are over 50 have dense breast tissue – you may be told this after a breast screening (mammogram) have other people in your family who've had breast or ovarian cancer – you may have inherited a faulty gene, such as a faulty BRCA gene have certain breast conditions, such as benign breast disease, ductal carcinoma in situ or lobular carcinoma in situ You may also be more likely to get breast cancer if you have higher levels of the hormones oestrogen, progesterone or testosterone. This may be more likely if you: started your periods before you were 12, or went through the menopause after you turned 55 have not given birth, or gave birth for the first time after 30 did not breastfeed your children have used the contraceptive pill in the last 10 years, or take hormone replacement therapy (HRT) – these only slightly increase your risk and for many people the benefits of taking them outweigh the risks Many breast cancers are also linked to lifestyle, such as smoking.
The Sun
07-05-2025
- Health
- The Sun
Shampoo and three other beauty products linked to cancer-causing chemicals, warn scientists
BEAUTY products in the US and UK could be putting you at risk of cancer-causing chemicals, warn scientists. In recent years, there have been growing concerns about the exposure of formaldehyde in personal care products. 2 Recent studies have linked exposure to formaldehyde in hair relaxers to increased risk of uterine and breast cancer among Black women. Now, a new study has demonstrated formaldehyde-releasing preservatives are present in a wide range of beauty products, including shampoo, lotions, body soap, and even eyelash glue. Lead author Dr Robin Dodson, an exposure scientist at Silent Spring Institute, said: "We found that this isn't just about hair straighteners. "These chemicals are in products we use all the time, all over our bodies. "Repeated exposures like these can add up and cause serious harm." Formaldehyde is a colourless, strong-smelling gas often used in cosmetics for its preservative properties. Formaldehyde-releasing preservatives are often used as an alternative - these are chemicals that slowly release formaldehyde over time and serve the same purpose. As part of the study, the researchers recruited 70 Black women and Latinas living in the Los Angeles area and asked them to track their use of personal care products over a period of five to seven days. Each time participants used a product, they logged the information using a smartphone app developed by Silent Spring. The app also prompted participants to take a photo of each ingredient label. Co-author Dr Elissia Franklin, an analytical chemist at Silent Spring, says previous studies on people's use of personal care products have relied on imprecise surveys, asking participants questions like, 'Did you use lotion in the past 24 hours?' But lotions can vary widely - some might have a few natural ingredients, like beeswax and shea butter, while others might have many toxic chemicals like formaldehyde releasers, phthalates, and parabens, says Franklin. 'We wanted to capture all that information,' she explains. 'Everybody uses lotions. Saying 'I used lotion' is like saying 'I am human!' We wanted a much more detailed picture—an accurate reading of all the chemicals in that lotion, and any other products the women were using.' The team analysed over 1,100 products, looking for formaldehyde and formaldehyde releasing preservatives in the products' ingredient lists. Fifty-three percent of participants reported using at least one personal care product that listed formaldehyde releasers on its label. And many of the products with formaldehyde releasers that participants reported using were applied daily or multiple times per week. 2 DMDM hydantoin was the most common formaldehyde releasing preservative. Roughly 47 per cent of skincare products and 58 per cent of hair products with formaldehyde-releasing preservatives contained DMDM hydantoin. The team also identified several others, but Dodson stresses that their list is not definitive. 'Those are just the ones we knew to look for. There could be more that we're not aware of,' Franklin says. In the UK, formaldehyde is regulated under both the Cosmetic Products Regulation and the UK REACH regulations, with the UK Cosmetics Regulation being based on the EU Cosmetics Regulation. While formaldehyde is generally prohibited in cosmetics, its use is allowed in certain nail hardening products, but with specific labelling requirements. Formaldehyde-releasing substances are also regulated, requiring labelling when the released formaldehyde concentration exceeds a certain threshold. Dodson says one way to reduce exposure in the US would be to require that companies add warning labels to formaldehyde-releasing products like they do in Europe. She agrees that it can be hard for the average consumer—and even chemists—to identify a formaldehyde releasing preservative on a label. 'They have long, weird, funny names, and they typically don't have the word formaldehyde in them,' she says. While warning labels might be a good first step, Dodson says banning the use of formaldehyde releasers altogether would be the best-case scenario. 'Ideally, companies shouldn't be putting these chemicals in products in the first place," she adds. Other toxic chemicals in beauty products to avoid Benzophenone: this is a UV filter commonly found in sunscreens. Some small studies have suggested that it and its derivatives oxybenzophone and avobenzophone can be hormone disrupters. This has led to many cosmetic formulations using alternative UV filters while further research is underway. Butylated compounds are antioxidant preservatives. There are concerns that they may have endocrine disruptive effects however this is thought to be in much higher concentrations than found in skincare for human beings. Coal tar has been used for dandruff and psoriasis for years. At concentrations used in skincare, coal tar is considered safe although may be irritant and induce photosensitivity in some people. In much higher concentrations, there are concerns around coal tar being carcinogenic, in particular skin cancer. With Ethanolamines, the concern here is that under certain situations, ethanolamines can undergo a reaction to make nitrosamines which are potentially carcinogenic. Homosalate is another chemical sunscreen filter that absorbs UVB light. It can also trigger allergic skin reactions in susceptible individuals. Similar to many other chemical sunscreens, there are concerns it can negatively impact on aquatic ecosystems. As it can penetrate the skin, there are concerns that it can disrupt human hormones. Hydroquinone is commonly used in prescription based creams to lighten dark areas on the skin such as in melasma or large sun spots. In the UK it is prescription only, so comes from a doctor who should assess the patient's skin. At high concentrations or in susceptible individuals it can trigger skin irritation. Used for prolonged periods it can cause a paradoxical darkening or discolouration of the skin known as exogenous ochronosis. When used in large amounts over a prolonged period it can be associated with low birth weight in a fetus. Mica is a mineral often used in skincare and make-up to give a shimmer- like finish. It can be irritant to susceptible individuals. Larger particles of mica can cause sensitivity to light leading to unaffected sunburns. There are concerns that when inhaled, it can exacerbate respiratory problems. As it is mined, it can be contaminated by highly toxic heavy metals such as mercury therefore it is important that skincare companies using mica have responsible supply chains that limit contamination. Parabens are very commonly used preservatives as they prevent the growth of bacteria, moulds and yeast. The potential risks are skin irritation and the risks of hormone disruption. It has weak oestrogen mimicking abilities which are thought to disrupt the natural order/ balance of hormones. It has been found in some breast cancer tumours although whether this is coincidental or causal is not understood. P-phenylenediamine, also known as PPD, is commonly used in hair dye and is known to be an important trigger for allergic reactions to hair dye, some of which can be so severe as to be potentially life threatening. This is why a patch test is mandated in hair dyes. PPD is also found in black henna. Triclosan is a commonly used antimicrobial which can extend the shelf life of numerous products. It has been associated with a number of skin toxicities including skin irritation, contact allergic dermatitis and antibiotic resistance when used for prolonged periods of time and in high concentrations. It has been banned in some countries as an anti- microbial wash.
