Health Risks and Cancer

This topic explores various health risks and potential cancer causes, ranging from the effects of cell phone radiation to the dangers of processed meats, ultra-processed foods, and certain chemicals. Articles cover studies on the increased risk of pancreatic cancer from processed meats, the potential link between cell phone radiation and brain function impairment, and the effects of ultra-processed foods on memory and stroke risk. Additionally, it delves into the risks associated with sodium nitrite in meats, benzene in cold medications, and the impact of tattoos on lymph node cancer. Other areas of focus include the long-term effects of CAR T therapy, the rising cancer rates among younger generations, and the potential cancer-preventive benefits of certain diabetes medications. Overall, the topic provides a comprehensive overview of various environmental and lifestyle factors that may contribute to cancer and other health concerns.

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FDA approves first at-home cervical cancer screening device

The device allows women to complete their screening at home and mail their samples to a lab

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The FDA has approved the first at-home cervical cancer screening device, designed to make women feel more comfortable with the process, and help them stay on top of crucial health care screenings. 

Teal Health, the company behind the device, completed a 16-site clinical trial that found its at-home collection kit to be just as successful as in-person tests. 

With FDA approval, the Teal Wand will be available starting in June in California, with access in more states to fol...

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Cell phones cleared of brain cancer risk but heart disease is another matter

For years, there've been fears that frequent and longstanding use of cell phones posed a risk of brain cancer. Now, after decades of studies and disputed claims, the World Health Organization (WHO) says they don't

But don't rush to pick your phone up just yet. A new Canadian study finds that regular cell phone use is "positively associated" with heart disease, especially in smokers and patients with diabetes.

In the WHO review, researchers said that even though the phones are generally held next to the head, there was no evidence of increased risk of brain cancer in regular mobile phone users. The latest study is based on a large base of studies and could put to rest fears raised by earlier studies that seemed to suggest the possiblity of harm. 

The review considered more than 5,000 studies, of which 63, published between 1994 and 2022, were included in the final analysis. No association between mobile phone use and brain cancer, or any other head or neck cancer, was found.

Heart disease in phone users

The Canadian study, on the other hand, found evidence suggesting that radio frequencies emitted by mobile phones "cause dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, inflammatory responses, and oxidative stress, and are therefore expected to affect a variety of organs such as the heart and blood vessels," according to Yanjun Zhang, MD, Division of Nephrology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China

"However, whether mobile phone use is associated with the risk of cardiovascular diseases remains uncertain," Zhang added.

The large study included 444,027 individuals from the UK Biobank without a history of cardiovascular diseases who self-reported on the frequency of their mobile phone use from 2006 to 2010. Regular mobile phone use was defined as at least one call per week.

The association was partly attributed to poor sleep, psychological distress, and neuroticism

Using linked hospital and mortality records, the composite outcome of incident stroke, coronary heart disease, atrial fibrillation, and heart failure was ascertained over a median followup time of 12.3 years. Researchers also investigated the role of sleep patterns, psychological distress, and neuroticism.

So what's the message to consumers? As is so often the case, it may come down to using moderation in all things.

"Maintaining responsible mobile phone habits should be a valuable component of an all-encompassing approach to supporting cardiovascular health," said Nicholas Grubic of the Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, in an editorial accompanyiing the study. "Before diving into hours of mindless ’doom-scrolling’ on your smartphone today, consider redirecting this time toward a more heart-healthy activity."

For years, there've been fears that frequent and longstanding use of cell phones posed a risk of brain cancer. Now, after decades of studies and disputed c...