The Cancer Dangers Lurking in Widely Used Medications

Written by George Citroner on October 4, 2023. Posted in Current News

Some common drugs carry increased cancer risk, some due to contamination, while others have been associated with risk through recent research

When taking medications for common reasons like lowering cholesterol, treating heartburn, and preventing pregnancy, most people trust these drugs are safe and effective.

This problem could worsen as the United States relies more on overseas manufacturers with less stringent regulations to meet the growing demand for generics.

Low profit margins have discouraged domestic production, forcing reliance on foreign plants where quality control may be lacking.

Hormonal contraceptives

Millions of women worldwide use hormonal contraceptives to prevent pregnancy. Though such birth control pills are found to be around 99 percent effective, research suggests they may increase breast cancer risk, though the evidence is limited.

Most data come from observational studies, which can’t prove causation, only association.

Women using birth control pills for extended periods may face increased cervical cancer risks. The National Cancer Institute has reported that compared to nonusers, women taking these contraceptives for at least five years tend to have higher cervical cancer rates.

Data show the risk seems to go up the longer oral contraceptives are used, while less than five years poses a 10 percent increased risk, five to nine years of use poses a 60 percent increased risk, and 10 or more years sees the risk doubled.

However, researchers also found that after stopping the pills, the elevated cervical cancer risk seems to decline over time.

A 2011 study analyzing data from 88,125 cases and 362,254 matched controls found that taking statins for over four years was associated with a higher risk of colorectal, bladder, and lung cancers.

No increased risk was found between statin use and any of the other most common cancer sites.

In some cases, reduced enzyme activity may affect cell signaling pathways and immune responses, possibly contributing to an elevated risk of certain cancers. This potential risk remains an area of ongoing research.

Heartburn medcine

The heartburn medication ranitidine (Zantac) was recalled in 2020 after unsafe levels of the carcinogen N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) were found in it. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requested Zantac be removed from sale once NDMA was detected at higher than acceptable daily intake limits.

“Some nitrosamines may increase the risk of cancer if people are exposed to them above acceptable levels over a prolonged period of time,” Emily Feivor, a registered dietitian nutritionist at Northwell Long Island Jewish Forest Hills in New York, told The Epoch Times.

Commonly used alternatives are proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). However, a 2023 systematic review and meta-analysis published in Frontiers in Pharmacology found that PPIs are associated with increased gastric (but not colorectal) cancer risk.

Study findings suggest that one reason for the increased risk may be that PPIs reduce healthy gut bacteria and promote the growth of pathogenic organisms that encourage the disease.

“Although PPI are generally considered to be effective and safe, they have many potential risks,” the study authors noted. They also recommended that the drug be used at the lowest possible dose and only briefly.

Overseas Drug Manufacturers and Growing Safety Concerns

U.S. dependence on foreign drug makers could jeopardize safety.

“We are worried that the United States is overly reliant on sourcing from foreign manufacturers with a demonstrated pattern of repeatedly violating FDA safety regulations,” Ms. Rodgers and her colleagues wrote.

These two nations garner the most FDA warnings, according to information from Ms. Rodger’s office.

To address concerns, the Department of Defense and Valisure, an independent laboratory, launched a partnership to improve drug quality monitoring and exclude subpar products.

See more here theepochtimes

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