This should come as no surprise to anyone who follows nutrition news, but according to Swedish researchers, omega-6 fatty acids such as those found in many commonly consumed vegetable oils appear to increase the risk of developing breast cancer.

From Reuters–

“…in women with low HA [heterocyclic amine] consumption, high omega-6 PUFA intake increased the likelihood of being diagnosed with breast cancer…

They conclude, based on their research, that a diet “very high in omega-6 PUFA may promote breast cancer development.”

While this isn’t exactly surprising news, I always welcome research that furthers our understanding of diet and its effects o cancer risk. You can check out the whole article at: Omega-6 fatty acid intake tied to breast cancer.

• In one of the more bizarre stories I’ve seen recently, researchers are reporting in the British Journal of Cancer that consuming just a small portion of grapefruit on a daily basis can increase a woman’s risk of breast cancer by almost a third––

“A study of 50,000 post-menopausal women found eating just a quarter of a grapefruit daily raised the risk by up to 30%.

The fruit is thought to boost levels of oestrogen - the hormone associated with a higher risk of the disease, the British Journal of Cancer reported.

But the researchers and other experts said more research was still needed.”

[BBC News]

• A chemical “paint” made from scorpion venom could lead to more accurate and effective surgery for cancer patients. The chemical attaches itself to cancer cells, illuminating even tiny clusters of malignant cells––

“The research team, from Seattle Children’s Hospital and the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Centre in Washington, found in tests on mice that they could illuminate brain tumours as small as 1mm in diameter. In another case they detected 200 prostate cancer cells travelling through a mouse’s lymph system.

Dr James Olson, who led the team, said: ”My greatest hope is that tumour paint will fundamentally improve cancer therapy. By allowing us to see cancer that would be undetectable by other means, we can give our patients better outcomes.“

[The Independent]

This One Never Goes Away

The controversy over whether or not antiperspirants cause breast cancer is back again – this time after a report that has appeared in the Journal of Applied Toxicology, which suggests that aluminum salts like those used in these and other products do indeed create estrogen-like effects in the body, and some have even been shown to spur on the growth of breast cancer cells in the lab.

What’s particularly frustrating about this finding – to me anyway – is that this very idea of a link between antiperspirant use and breast cancer has sadly been re-framed over the years as an Urban Legend… of course, there is still no conclusive link here, but the very fact that women’s bodies (at least in the western world) are being assaulted by “chemical-estrogens” has to give pause to any thinking person concerned with the deadly rise in breast cancer rates we are now experiencing.

According to Reuters–

Given the wide variety of other substances that can mimic estrogen, including certain pesticides, cosmetics and detergents, it is possible that aluminum salts and other inorganic estrogen-related compounds called “metalloestrogens” can further disrupt normal hormonal signaling within the breast, Darby says. “There is no doubt that the human breast is now subject to a wide range of environmental estrogenic insults,” she writes.

What is particularly concerning about aluminum, according to Darby, is the fact that it is applied to the underarm, close to the breast, and left on the skin. Deodorants also are frequently used after shaving, making it easier for aluminum salts to enter the blood stream. Studies also have demonstrated that aluminum salts can penetrate human underarm skin even if it is unbroken.

Isn’t it time for conclusive studies either way? I mean, a whole lot of us use these products every…single…day.

SOURCE: Reuters – Aluminum salts may increase breast cancer risk

Talk about adding insult to injury – according to an article in the journal Arthritis and Rheumatism, people already unlucky enough to suffer from the most debilitating form of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) may actually be 70 times more likely to be diagnosed with lymphoma than those with milder forms of the disease.

While there is still much debate about the cause, the new research apparently suggests that it may be RA itself, and not the meds used to treat the condition, that is responsible for the rise in lymphoma risk seen in these patients. According to the authors, drugs that treat RA may well reduce the risk of developing lymphoma by dampening the chronic inflammation associated with the disease.

The researchers found that among the patients with rheumatoid arthritis that were studied, those with only moderate amounts of inflammation had about eight times the risk of developing lymphoma as compared to those with milder forms, while those with severe RA were a whopping 70 times more likely to develop the disease.

SOURCE: WebMD – Severe Arthritis Linked to Cancer Risk

Lest you’re not completely confused by all the recent conflicting data about lifestyle choices and their effect on cancer risk, researchers in Seoul are reporting that the increasing westernization of South Korea’s younger generations is leading to an increase in breast cancer rates, including a disturbing increase in the number of younger women who are being diagnosed with the disease.

So-called “western” lifestyle changes that may be contributing to the increased risk of breast cancer include a move towards lower birth rates, lower breast-feeding rates, and even increased breast cancer screening.

The researchers, who analyzed data collected in 1991 and 2003 from women who had received breast cancer surgery, found among other things: a higher percentage of young women with breast cancer, a larger proportion of asymptomatic cancers, and more women with breast cancer risk factors, including higher-fat diets, obesity, early menarche, and late menopause. The authors conclude that–

“The present results suggest that the rate of breast cancer in Korea will continue to increase owing to westernized lifestyles, and the clinical characteristics of Korean breast cancer are now reflecting the patterns of Western countries.”

The cost of westernization continues to go up…

SOURCE: Forbes – Westernization Driving Up South Korean Breast Cancer Rate

Full-On Lung Cancer Disaster

According to a report at Reuters, citizens in China smoke nearly two-trillion cigarettes per year, leading to the deaths of some 1.2 million people annually. Unfortunately, there are an estimated 320 million smokers in the country, with that number growing quickly. Now, in a commendable effort to combat this ever-increasing health disaster, the Chinese Government is planning to place a ban on new cigarette factories.

According to the report, Beijing will not only be banning new tobacco factories, but will also be enforcing strict new controls on existing tobacco companies, via tobacco leaf taxes and tobacco industry reorganization.

Apparently China is currently the world’s largest producer of cigarettes, with tobacco industry taxes alone worth $19.74 billion in 2005.

And I thought the western world had a smoking problem…

SOURCE: Reuters – China to ban new cigarette factories, official says

While you are probably aware that moderate drinking can actually be beneficial for your cardiovascular system, what you may not know is that besides being bad on your liver (not to mention your social life,) excessive drinking can lead to an increased risk of many forms of cancer.

According to Reuters, new research published in The Lancet Oncology suggests that heavy consumption of alcohol can increase your risk of developing cancers of the liver, breast, colon, mouth, larynx, oesophagus, and possibly even the pancreas & lung.

That’s a long list, and if you’re concerned about your risk of cancer, it’s not one that should be taken lightly.

Of course, there may be specific heart-healthy benefits to drinking at least moderate amounts of alcohol, and the authors point out that–

“Total avoidance of alcohol, although optimum for cancer control, cannot be recommended in terms of broad perspective of public health, in particular in countries with high incidence of cardiovascular disease.”

I guess the take home message here is that while it may be safe, or even healthy, to enjoy your drink…enjoying it too much can be seriously dangerous to your health.



SOURCE: Reuters – Alcohol underestimated as cancer cause: scientists

In a study that coincides well with what we already know about the effects of diabetes on Western populations, researchers are reporting in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute that they have now linked diabetes to an increased risk of colorectal cancer in an Asian population – namely, ethnic Chinese residents of Singapore.

The research, which followed over 60,000 participants for a number of years, found that diabetics who consumed a high number of total calories, paired with low levels of physical activity, suffered an increased risk of developing colorectal cancer, with the increase in risk depending on gender – 50% for males, 40% for females. The investigator’s write–

“Our results support the hypothesis that (high insulin levels) may play a role in the (development of colon cancer), even in a relatively lean population.”

SOURCE: Reuters – Diabetes tied to colon cancer in Asian population

Technorati Tags: Cancer, Exercise, Nutrition & Cancer, Diabetes

Talk About Mixed Messages

According to a report in the American Journal of Epidemiology, chemical by-products from the chlorination of drinking water may indeed cause an increased risk of developing chronic myeloid leukemia (CML,) while at the same time reducing the risk of other forms of the disease, including chronic lymphoid leukemia (CLL.)

The study, which was based on data from some 686 leukemia patients and over 3,000 controls, found a 72% increase in the risk of developing CML for people who had long-term exposure to certain levels of triahalomethane, a chlorination by-product, while similar exposure was found to reduce the risk of developing CLL by 40%. The authors conclude that–

“Total trihalomethanes and bromodichloromethane may be particularly important in the etiology of CML, but the possible protective effect of chlorination disinfection by-products on CLL remains unclear. Random error or selection bias could explain these results.”

Still confused? You’re certainly not alone….

SOURCE: Reuters – Leukemia risk from chlorination seen mixed

Technorati Tags: Cancer, Chlorinated Water

Given the increasing evidence linking inflammation to cancer I guess it’s really not that surprising that a number of chronic inflammatory syndromes are now being reported as significant risk factors for the disease. The latest of these is Crohn’s Disease, which according to the American Journal of Gastroenterology has now been linked to an increased risk of intestinal cancers.

Researchers are reporting that while patient’s with colonic or iliocolonic Crohn’s Disease were more likely to develop both rectal cancer and colon cancer (1.4-fold & 2.5-fold respectively,) risk for developing small bowel cancer among all Crohn’s Disease patients was an incredible 27-times that of those without the disease.

One caveat: The study comes from data going all the way back to the 1940s, and apparently a lot has changed in the way that Crohn’s is now treated, including the use of drugs that suppress the immune system, which in turn suppress inflammation.

SOURCE: Reuters – Crohn’s disease ups risk of intestinal cancer

Technorati Tags: Crohn’s Disease, Rectal Cancer, Small Bowel Cancer