Talcum Powder May Cause Cancer - Experts

Researchers are unanimous that talc or talcum powder can cause lung, ovarian, stomach and endometrial (uterine) cancers. They said talc consisting of asbestos is generally accepted as being able to cause cancer if it is inhaled or/and used regularly in the genital area. Evidence on asbestos-free talc is however less clear.

“The health implication of using talc that contains asbestos is that it causes cancer. The real worry is that talc powder is the main ingredient in powders used for rashes in babies and adults in Nigeria,” said a consultant epidemiologist, Dr. Anthony Nwaoney.

He noted: “It has been suggested that talcum powder might cause cancer in the ovaries if the powder particles (applied to the genital area or on sanitary napkins, diaphragms, or condoms) were to travel through the vagina, uterus, and fallopian tubes to the ovary.”

The epidemiologist told the media that concerns about a possible link between talcum powder and cancer have focused on: whether people who have long-term exposure to talc particles at work, such as talc miners, are at higher risk of lung cancer; and whether women who apply talcum powder regularly in the genital area have an increased risk of ovarian cancer.

Talcum powder is made from talc, a mineral made up mainly of magnesium, silicon and oxygen. As a powder, it absorbs moisture well and cut down on friction, making it useful for keeping the skin dry and preventing rashes. It is widely used in cosmetic products such as baby powder and adult body and facial powders, as well as in a number of other consumer products. In its natural form, some talc extracts contain asbestos, a substance known to cause cancer in the lungs when inhaled.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) is part of the World Health Organisation (WHO). Its major goal is to identify causes of cancer. IARC classifies talc that contains asbestos as “carcinogenic to humans.” Based on the lack of data from human studies and on limited data in lab animal studies, IARC classifies inhaled talc not containing asbestos as “not classifiable as to carcinogenicity in humans.”

Based on limited evidence from human studies of a link to ovarian cancer, IARC classifies the perineal (genital) use of talc-based body powder as “possibly carcinogenic to humans.”

While the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has remained silent on the issue, despite several queries from The Guardian, the Consumer Protection Council (CPC), early February 2019, alerted the public to substandard Johnson & Johnson’s Baby Talc Powder in circulation.

The agency said in a statement that following a “credible process”, the popular Johnson & Johnson (J&J) product, Johnson’s Baby Talc (Baby/Body), in circulation was found to be harmful and injurious to users.

The statement by the Director General, Babatunde Irukera, said a court in the United States decided the company failed to warn consumers about the potential health risks associated with using its baby and body powder products. The CPC said the plaintiffs in the case had claimed that asbestos caused them to develop ovarian cancer.

Although J&J has already indicated its intention to appeal the case, Irukera said the council considers it important to alert and educate consumers in Nigeria as they make choices on baby and body powders.

The council noted that scientific findings in support of the decision of the court above were otherwise inconclusive.

Indeed, over 6,600 consumers have filed baby powder lawsuits against Johnson & Johnson. Most of these consumers are women who have ovarian cancer. They claimed that their cancer developed due to the use of talcum powder on the genital. They also backed their claims with a variety of studies that have found that long-term use of talcum powder on female genitals may increase the risk of ovarian cancer.

A new study published in the journal Epidemiology, analysed the use of talcum powder in over 4,000 women with and without ovarian cancer. The authors found that talcum powder in the genital region may increase a woman’s risk of ovarian cancer by 33 per cent, especially in instances where the powder was used daily. The researchers insisted that more study is necessary to determine how talcum powder causes cancer.

In the meantime, the American Cancer Society suggests that it may be prudent to avoid or limit the use of products containing talc, if you are concerned about developing ovarian cancer.

A study published in the journal Toxicological and Environmental Chemistry further established that cosmetic facial talcum powders marketed in Nigeria contain toxic trace metals such as lead. The aim of the study was to determine the concentrations of Pb (lead), Cd (cadmium), Co (copper), and Cr (chromium) in cosmetic talcum powders regularly used in Nigeria.

According to the study, higher metal concentrations compared to others were obtained in few samples manufactured by certain companies, indicating that raw materials used and exogenous contamination could be major contributory factors.

The researchers said the results of the study were generally within regulatory limits and the slightly elevated levels of Pb (lead) in few samples indicate that the use of certain talcum powder products could constitute trace metal exposure routes to users. “Thus, there is a need for regulation of trace metal levels in cosmetic powders through the establishment of national guidelines,” they said.

According to another study published in American Journal of Industrial Medicine, lead acetate administered orally, cutaneously, or intraperitoneally causes kidney cancer, brain cancer (gliomas), and lung cancer in rodents, and acts synergistically with other carcinogens.

IARC classified lead as a “possible human carcinogen” based on sufficient animal data and insufficient human data in 1987.

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Lack Of Quality Sleep Raises Risk Of Heart Attack, Stroke

A new research by scientists has shown that chronic lack of sleep and poor sleep quality raise the risk of fatty plaque accumulation in arteries — a condition known as atherosclerosis, which increases the odds of heart attack and stroke. Findings of a new study published in the ‘Journal of the American College of Cardiology,’ shows that people who slept less than six hours a night were 27 per cent more likely to have body-wide atherosclerosis than those who slept seven to eight hours a night. 

Atherosclerosis is a disease in which plaque builds up inside the arteries. Arteries are blood vessels that carry oxygen-rich blood to the heart and other parts of the body. Plaque is made up of fat, cholesterol, calcium, and other substances found in the blood. Over time, plaque hardens and narrows the arteries. Based on the study, the lead researcher, Jose Ordovas, said the current study emphasised the importance of including sleep as one of the weapons used to fight heart disease — a factor that many people compromise every day.

Ordovas is an investigator at the National Center for Cardiovascular Research in Madrid, Spain. According to the team, six hours is the minimum amount of sleep per night one needs to help the heart stay healthy. Too much sleep wasn’t great for the heart, either.

The study also found that women who slept more than eight hours a night had an increased risk of atherosclerosis. Participants with “poor-quality” sleep — frequent awakenings or difficulty getting to sleep — were also 34 per cent more likely to have atherosclerosis, compared to those with good-quality sleep. People who had short and poor-quality sleep also tended to consume higher levels of caffeine and alcohol, Ordovas noted.

“Many people think alcohol is a good inducer of sleep, but there’s a rebound effect,” he said. “If you drink alcohol, you may wake up after a short period of sleep and have a hard time getting back to sleep. And if you do get back to sleep, it’s often a poor-quality sleep.”

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How Drinking Hot Tea May Lead To Esophageal Cancer

Hot tea can increase the risk of a deadly cancer five-fold for people who also regularly drink alcohol, Chinese research suggests.

People who drink at least one alcoholic beverage and a "burning hot" cup of tea on a daily basis were five times more likely to develop esophageal cancer than people who drank tea at any temperature less than once a week, the study found.

The risks to smokers also increase with high-temperature tea drinking, said the study, which examined data on 456,155 Chinese adults ages 30 to 79. Drinking boiling hot tea every day was associated with roughly twice the risk of oesophageal cancer as consuming tea less than weekly for people who smoked.

Both smoking and drinking alcohol are already widely-known to be linked to oesophageal cancer, but the new study, which appeared in the Annals of Internal Medicine, proved that very hot tea can increase the risks.

Lv Jun, of Peking University Health Science Centre in China, who co-authored the study, told The Telegraph: “Boiling hot tea will harm the cells in the oesophagus. “If the person also drinks alcohol and smokes, then the harm caused will be more heightened.”

At the start of the study, none of the participants had cancer. Researchers followed half of the participants for at least nine years.

During the study, 1,731 people developed oesophageal tumours.

Each year, oesophageal cancer - which killed Inspector Morse actor John Thaw - is diagnosed in around 9,000 people in the UK, and an estimated 15 per cent of patients who develop the cancer are still alive after five years.

Rates of the disease are relatively high in China, where tea drinking is common and many men smoke and drink.

Chinese people often drink tea from flasks that they carry with them to their workplace and regularly fill up with hot water.

Very few Chinese drink traditional British tea, which less hot than Chinese varieties as it also usually taken with cold milk. 

Cancer | The tests you need to know about

For bile duct cancer

Helen Moremont, of the charity AMMF, says if you have symptoms of bile duct cancer that don’t improve, ask your GP to run a liver-function test.

For ovarian cancer

An early ovarian cancer-screening tool is in development. ‘In the meantime, if you have symptoms for longer than a 12-day period, ask your GP for a CA125 blood test,’ says Katherine Taylor of Ovarian Cancer Action. ‘It’s a bio-marker test that’s freely available.’

For cervical cancer

Since the early 1990s, cervical cancer incidence rates have decreased by almost a quarter (23 per cent) in the UK. Women aged 25 to 49 are invited for screening every three years; 50 to 64-year-olds are invited every five years. If you experience bleeding between periods, after sex or following the menopause, or have pain during sex or in your pelvis, see your GP.

For bowel cancer

If bowel cancer is detected early, before symptoms appear, it is easier to treat. The NHS offers two types of bowel-cancer screening. Currently, everybody aged 60 to 74 is sent a home- test kit. There is also a one-off test called bowel scope screening (which takes place at NHS bowel-cancer screening centres), which is gradually being introduced in England for those 55 and over.

And finally…

Don’t forget the protective basics: ‘Four in 10 cases of cancer can be prevented. So if you’re a smoker, stop; keep a healthy weight; eat well and stay active,’ says Dr Jasmine Just of Cancer Research UK. ‘Help stack the odds in your favour'.

People in Russia, Turkey and South America enjoy their tea very hot, with many regularly drinking it at temperatures above 149 degrees Fahrenheit (65 degrees Celsius). Past research has shown that tea can help to protect against tumours in the digestive tract.

But studies have also suggested that hot liquids and food can cause "thermal injury" which can increase the risk factors associated with cancer.

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Dealing With Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Through Psychotherapy

By Pascal Amaraegbu

'Once your mindset changes, everything on the outside will change along it’ -Steve Maraboli.

Musa’s political ambition to become a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria suffered a huge loss during this year’s February 23rd Presidential and Senatorial elections. Meanwhile, he invested his entire business capital, as well as a huge loan he obtained from the bank into the political project. Spiff lost his left arm during one of the battles his troop engaged with Boko Haram in the North East of Nigeria. Juliet was about to obtain her permanent resident documents in UK when she was arrested and deported.These sad and sorrowful life events are typical tipping points, which orchestrate the incidence or exacerbation of post-traumatic stress disorders.

It is challenging and distressing that in some occasions the event that triggered off the PTSD is beyond the victim’s control. For instance, a soldier must go to war and cannot be in control of the weapons of mass destruction employed by the enemy. Some accident victims, in spite of their skillful and careful driving, end up brutalized by other drivers and vehicles.

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder reminds us that life is a product of vicissitudes and vagaries.

During this earthly journey, human beings may not escape the trials and troubles, tests and tornadoes of life. The victorious pathway is to prepare one’s mind to overcome and conquer every challenge life offers. This is a major reason I once declared that attitude, more than aptitude, determines people’s altitude. In other words, attitude more than any investment determines people’s level of success in life. Such an understanding significantly introduces us to the issue of developing effective strategy for dealing with PTSD.

The two major approaches used to handle PTSD are Medical (Chemotherapy) and Psychotherapy. With reference to the former, the use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors has been recommended for treatment of clinical depression and sometimes the treatment of serious cases of anxiety disorders.

The target of Psychotherapy in PTSD is to help the victim to learn coping skills as well as to adjust to new challenges that arise as a result of the disorder. Some of the recommended psychotherapeutic strategies for handling PTSD include, Group, Family and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapies. Very remarkable excellent results of psychological treatment of PTSD have been recorded with the use of Cognitive Behaviour and Psychodynamic therapies. Of course, one cannot describe the technicalities of these psychotherapeutic models here. I proceed by focusing on some basic psychological principles of handling PTSD.

A rule of the thumb principle in all health issues is that of early detection and reports of symptoms. The incubation period of PTSD is variously given to last between a month and a few years and the consequences will be less threatening and devastating if detected, reported and handled immediately. Consequently, family members and friends can play significant roles in helping the victim to seek early professional help.

Victims of PTSD can benefit from engagement in quality rest. By this arrangement, the pressure of work is removed from the victim. However, PTSD patients shouldn’t be left alone. They should be guided and guarded by adults. This is to forestall any form of the former engaging in personal harmful activities. Depending on the degree of damage to one’s health and personality, the patient may benefit from some form of productive activity. Also, such activity should fit into the patient’s regimen.

Fundamentally, involvement in physical exercise will help to distract the patient from concentrating on the negative memories, which normally characterize PTSD. As the patient engages in physical exercise, he/she experiences release of tensions, anxieties and fears. This cathartic role of physical exercise promotes therapeutic process.

A change of environment can add value to the therapy. For many patients of PTSD, cues, signs and scenes, which remind them of the onslaught of the traumatic events may exacerbate the disorder. Therefore, removing them from such negative familiar scenes may contribute positively to the therapeutic regimen. Coming back to confront such negative stimulating environments may be better when the patient is stronger and healthier than when he/she is at his/her weakest or lowest point of health.

We are all the products of our peculiar mindsets. A positive and possibility mindset is more predisposed to benefit from any form of therapy than a negative or pessimistic one. Napoleon Hill, the author of the best seller, ‘Think and Grow Rich’ is noted to have made this useful statement about the mind that ‘there are no limitations to the mind except those we acknowledge. Both poverty and riches are the offspring of thought.’ As a corollary, health and sickness are the off springs of the human mind. The PTSD patient should be ready to adjust his/her mind to overcome the negative vicissitudes of life.

One of the effective strategies to handle PTSD is to develop a positive philosophy about suffering, pain, injustice and all the problems of life. In the words of Reinhold Niebuhr (1892-1971), the American Theologian, I recall his popular Serenity Prayer which says;

‘God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change. Courage to change the things I can and wisdom to know the difference’. One develops to a stage in life when virtues like gratitude, forgiveness, kindness, hope and unconditional love become inevitable rules to cherish.

One focuses and targets to grow beyond the lower bestial forms of humanity and through dogged fortitude, temperance and divine revelation, tramples upon the harsh realities of this life. To this paradigm shift of mental and emotional development, I urge you to engage in. We can achieve the best therapeutic results by preparing our minds to accommodate both the worst and best in this journey. 

The worst cannot mar, neither can the best make us. Each of us possesses the innate potential to sink and soar. In agreement with the opening quote of Steve Maraboli, the PSTD patient can be willing to have a positive change of mind about the trauma and troubles. The result would be a sure and steady movement toward obtaining a sound mind as well as wholesome healing of the entire personality. If the symptoms persist, consult a psychologist and psychiatrist.

Dr. Amaraegbu is a clinical psychologist.

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Coffee Could Slow, Stop Prostate Cancer Growth

Researchers in Japan said two compounds found in coffee could slow or even stop prostate cancer growth. 

According to the findings of a new study published in the journal ‘The Prostate,’ two compounds, Kahweol acetate and cafestol were shown to inhibit growth in cells which are resistant to common anti-cancer drugs. 

The results of the research were presented at the 34th European Association of Urology Congress in Barcelona, Spain, a programme which held between March 15 to 19. 

Researchers studied the effects of two particular compounds commonly found in coffee beans in a pilot study examining tumour growth in mice cells.

The scientists however called for caution in applying the results to humans, but said the compounds could become candidates to treat drug-resistant prostate cancer if results were confirmed. 

The hydrocarbon compounds, which can be found in espresso, were often stripped out in filtered coffee. Prostate cancer is the development of cancer in the prostate, a gland in the male reproductive system. Most prostate cancers are slow growing; however, some grow relatively quickly. 

The cancer cells may spread from the prostate to other areas of the body, particularly the bones and lymph nodes.

It may initially cause no symptoms, but in later stages, it can lead to difficulty urinating, blood in the urine or pain in the pelvis, back, or when urinating. Prostate cancer is more common, and more deadly, in black men. 

The study leader, Dr Hiroaki Iwamoto of Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medical Science, said: “We found that kahweol acetate and cafestol inhibited the growth of the cancer cells in mice, but the combination seemed to work synergistically, leading to a significantly slower tumour growth than in untreated mice.” 

“After 11 days, the untreated tumours had grown by around three and a half times the original volume (342 per cent), whereas the tumours in the mice treated with both compounds had grown by around just over one and a half (167 per cent) times the original size.”

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How To Get Your Biggest, Brightest, And Whitest Smile

Story From Penelope Andersan 

The main difference between results from in-office and at-home teeth whitening is the expected shade differential. At-home teeth whitening products remove stains that have built up over time, which means they can only help return to your natural shade.

A past study by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, claims that having a whiter smile can boost your mental health and enhance your career prospects. According to New York City-based Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Julian Isaacs, "when a patient’s smile makeover is done and they get a mirror for the first time, the reactions are amazing. There are smiles, hugs, and tears of joy that really make it all worth it.”

Here are some of the most effective whitening solutions for your teeth, including in-office systems, at-home kits, kinds of toothpaste, natural treatments, and dental veneers.

In-office Treatments
Dental office treatments often produce greater results, as they utilize a teeth bleaching process and can make your teeth whiter than they ever were naturally. One example of in-office teeth whitening systems is the Philips Zoom in-clinic portfolio, which has treatments that can lighten teeth up to eight shades.

While most treatments are in-office only, there are some that combine an in-office treatment with at-home use, such as the Philips Zoom QuickPro. For this particular procedure, two layers of the whitening varnish are applied in-office and then brushed or wiped off 30 minutes later. After the in-office portion is complete, patients are typically given an at-home kit to quick-start the whitening process.

If you opt for the Philips Zoom tray system, you will receive custom-fitted whitening trays to be worn at-home for either 30 minutes twice a day or overnight. Patients usually see results within two weeks of starting the at-home treatment. All of the Philips Zoom solutions have the ADA seal of approval, along with the in-clinic treatments that vary in cost, but average around $500.

At-home Products
At-home treatments take a bit more commitment than in-office treatments. They can be used as a substitution or in addition to custom-molded trays or Zoom solutions to maintain your new smile. The main difference between results from in-office and at-home teeth whitening is the expected shade differential. At-home teeth whitening products remove stains that have built up over the years, which means they can only help your teeth go back to their natural shade. Dr. Isaacs, a New York City-based Cosmetic Dentist explains, “they take anywhere from seven to 21 consecutive days of treatment to see the full results.”

Whitening toothpaste contains polishing beads and/or whitening agents to aid in stain removal. Like in-office treatments, some over-the-counter toothpaste also contains hydrogen peroxide, but in lower concentration relative to prescribed options, such as silica and charcoal. Thus, a whitening toothpaste would be your best option if you have more sensitive teeth and cannot tolerate in-office whitening.
Additionally, whitening strips and whitening rinses that are hydrogen peroxide-based can help individuals achieve a whiter smile. Depending on the person, whitening strips can show results within days of use, while whitening rinses typically take several weeks or months.

Dental Veneers
Dental veneers (also known as dental porcelain laminates and porcelain veneers) do not just fix the color of your teeth, but can also provide a long-term solution for teeth that are worn down, chipped, or misaligned and uneven. In addition to being able to personalize the color of your new teeth, your dentist will also be able to correct the overall appearance of your smile. The veneers are either made from porcelain or composite resin, with the choice of material to be specific to your lifestyle and the results you are seeking.

The veneer process is irreversible as your dentist will have to wear down the top layers of enamel before taking impressions and going ahead with the procedure. It is important to make sure you discuss any concerns with your dentist before taking the next steps. The process itself generally is not painful and requires three visits to the dentist. The first visit will allow you to discuss the procedure with your dentist, the second one will involve removing the top layers of enamel, taking imprints, and possibly even receiving temporary veneers to be fitted during a third visit. At this point, the color of your new veneers can still be adjusted by using different types of adhesive to stick the veneer to your natural tooth.

Results can last up to 15 years and you can treat your veneers as natural teeth as there are no specific cleaning instructions. You may suffer from more sensitive teeth after the procedure, but your dentist will advise on how to deal with that if it does happen.

Natural Solutions
Coconut Oil Coconut oil is a popular option if you would like to keep your teeth whitening chemical-free. In order to whiten your teeth using coconut oil, you will need to “pull” the oil, meaning you need to swish the liquid around your mouth for anywhere between five and 15 minutes, so it "pulls" back and forth through your teeth and gums. Fortunately, there are products packaged for single-use, making it easier to use coconut oil on-the-go. Alternatively, you can also use standard coconut oil that you may already have in your pantry. For best results, you should “pull” the coconut oil once a day.

Charcoal Powder Another popular natural option is activated charcoal powder that you dip a wet toothbrush into. The substance has also been used to detoxify the body and is thought to be effective at whitening teeth because it lifts debris off the teeth. While it will not be able to single-handedly give you a smile whiter than your natural shade, it can help rid of any lingering stains. One precaution you should take is to be careful not to swallow activated charcoal, as it can affect hydration levels and even affect the absorption of certain medication.

Baking Soda Baking soda has also long been used as an effective at-home teeth whitening method. Its chemical makeup enables it to gently lift stains off your teeth over time, similarly to charcoal. Both of these methods should be used at least four to five times a week, although more frequent use will not have any negative effect.

Other There are other alternatives that are said to whiten teeth too. In fact, they are common ingredients that may already be in your kitchen! Lemon or orange peels, strawberries, and even magnesium-rich leafy greens are all reported to enhance the brightness of your smile.
These natural solutions may be effective for some types of stains, but Dr. Isaacs says, “depending on the cause of the dark teeth they may not work.” If you are not seeing desired results with natural solutions, it could be worth having a discussion with your dentist to discuss alternatives.

When to Avoid Whitening
Teeth whitening is not for everyone. Children 16 years old or under should not whiten their teeth because the nerve of the tooth is still enlarged at this age and whitening can cause gum tissue to become irritated. Additionally, pregnant women and women breastfeeding should not whiten their teeth because of the chemicals found in teeth whitening pastes and other products.

Furthermore, those with sensitive teeth should discuss this sensitivity with a dentist before undergoing any at-home or in-office teeth whitening procedure. Dentists will be able to discuss options that minimize the risk of sensitivity being increased by teeth whitening. 

When asked about potential options for patients with sensitive teeth, Dr. Isaacs suggested a two-step process to reduce the risk of increasing the issue, explaining that “after the procedure, I’ll give my patients a desensitizing gel in order to help with any post whitening sensitivity.”

Penelope Andersan is from the Content Partnerships Team of The AEDITION, an online publication created by new, aesthetic enhancement platform AEDIT. AEDIT is a next-generation, go-to source for anyone looking to continue or begin their medial aesthetic journey.

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