Health Journal Online

Tag: cancer

  • Is Your Drinking Water Safe? This Metal In Your Supply May Pose Cancer Risk

    Is Your Drinking Water Safe? This Metal In Your Supply May Pose Cancer Risk

    With the rise in cancer diagnoses, it’s high time we pay attention to what we consume daily, including food and water. Could your drinking water be a source of exposure to carcinogenic metals? A recent study conducted in Texas found that even low levels of arsenic in water, below the regulatory threshold of 10 parts per billion, could pose health risks, including an increased risk of kidney cancer.

    In the latest study, researchers from the Texas A&M University School of Public Health investigated the link between arsenic levels in drinking water and kidney cancer rates across 240 Texas counties. Arsenic is naturally present in groundwater in Texas and other regions.

    Kidney cancer is the seventh most common cancer in the U.S. It has an age-adjusted incidence rate of 17.2 per 100,000 people from 2017 to 2021. Several factors can increase the risk, including being male, African American, or having a family history of the disease. In addition, lifestyle choices such as smoking, alcohol use, and obesity, along with health conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, and advanced kidney disease, can elevate the risk. Studies also show that exposure to certain chemicals, such as trichloroethylene, may increase the risk of developing kidney cancer

    The latest study results suggest a dose-response relationship between arsenic in drinking water and kidney cancer, with cancer risk increasing by 4% with each doubling of arsenic levels. The researchers also noted that moderate levels (1–5 ppb) and high levels (>5 ppb) of arsenic exposure raised cancer risk by 6% and 22%, respectively.

    “Some public water systems are poorly managed and could expose customers to arsenic, but the 40 million people in the United States who rely on private wells are particularly vulnerable,” said Taehyun Roh, from the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics who was involved in the study.

    “This [study] suggests that even low-level arsenic exposure in drinking water may be associated with an increased risk of kidney cancer, which aligns with previous research indicating an association between this exposure and lung, bladder, and skin cancers,” Roh said.

    The researchers caution that the study establishes associations between factors but does not prove causality. They emphasize the need for future studies to assess the effects of factors such as lifestyle, family history of kidney cancer, and other potential sources of arsenic exposure. However, based on the findings, researchers call for stricter regulation and targeted public health interventions.

    “Our findings indicate that reducing arsenic exposure could reduce the incidence of kidney cancer, and this could be achieved through efforts such as enhanced regulatory oversight and targeted public health interventions,” Nishat Tasnim Hasan, a researcher involved said.

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  • Protein & GI issues in cancer

    Protein & GI issues in cancer

    Earlier this year, Certified Specialist in Oncology Nutrition, Valaree Williams presented “Managing gastrointestinal disturbances in cancer patients: Strategies for optimizing patient care.” Valaree is back to talk about the importance of protein for those going through cancer treatment and to continue answering YOUR questions from the webinar. Tune in to learn ways to make protein foods appealing when taste and appetite have been impacted by cancer treatment, how to address swallowing issues, and nuanced recommendations for diarrhea and constipation– there may be a case for marshmallows…​​

    Hosted by Kristin Houts

    Biography

    Valaree Williams, MS, RDN, CSO, LDN, CNSC, FAND, became a registered dietitian nutritionist in 2006 and has focused many years of her work on the provision of nutrition care to patients with cancer. She is currently employed as a clinical dietitian at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in Middletown, New Jersey. Valaree serves in volunteer roles for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Commission on Dietetic Registration, and ASPEN, where she currently serves as the chair for CDR. Additionally, she has contributed to several oncology nutrition publications. 

    In this episode, we discuss:

    • Protein recommendations for cancer patients​

    • Modifications to meals and snacks for those with swallowing difficulty​

    • Fiber’s role in the management of treatment-induced diarrhea and constipation​

    • The collaborative nature of cancer care and integral role of the dietitian on a medical team

    Additional resources

    In case you missed it, you can watch Valaree’s presentation “Managing gastrointestinal disturbances in cancer patients: Strategies for optimizing patient care” here.​

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  • Pesticide Use In Farms Poses Cancer Risk Similar To Smoking: Study

    Pesticide Use In Farms Poses Cancer Risk Similar To Smoking: Study

    Pesticides are vital for achieving high crop yields and ensuring food security, but what is the cost to human health? A study adds to the growing concern, revealing that the cancer risk associated with pesticide use in agriculture is similar to that of smoking.

    The cancer risk from smoking is well-known, but researchers are now drawing a stark comparison with the dangers posed by agricultural use of pesticides. Their findings reveal significant links between pesticide exposure and several forms of cancer, including leukemia, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, as well as bladder, lung, and pancreatic cancers.

    “In our study, we found that for some cancers, the effect of agricultural pesticide usage is comparable in magnitude to the effect of smoking,” Dr. Isain Zapata, the study’s senior author from the College of Osteopathic Medicine, Colorado, said in a news release.

    “It is difficult to explain the magnitude of an issue without presenting any context, so we incorporated smoking data. We were surprised to see estimates in similar ranges,” Zapata said.

    To explore potential connections between pesticide exposure and cancer rates, the researchers analyzed data on 69 different pesticides from the United States Geological Survey. In a population-based, nationwide study, they examined county-wide agricultural pesticide use alongside cancer incidence and found that the impact of pesticides on cancer rates might rival that of smoking. The results of the study were published in the journal Frontiers.

    Since pesticides are rarely used in isolation, pinpointing a single culprit is difficult. Although some pesticides may be more frequently discussed in connection with cancer, it is the combination of several pesticides that often makes the impact, the researchers explained.

    “In the real world, it is not likely that people are exposed to a single pesticide, but more to a cocktail of pesticides within their region,” Zapata said.

    “Geographic trends showed that counties with higher agricultural productivity, such as the leading corn-producing states of the Midwest, also have increased cancer risk due to pesticide exposure. Our results highlight the relevance of comprehensive assessments for the development of policy considerations and the implementation of preventive measures to mitigate the risks for vulnerable communities. Our study pioneers and lays a holistic vision foundation for future pesticide-related cancer risk assessments,” the researchers wrote.

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