Heart burn pills increases the risk of stomach cancer

Chronic heartburn, caused by stomach acid splashing into the gullet, also known as acid reflux, affects many people. Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs)  is popularly used to treat the condition. Available both on prescription and over-the-counter at lower doses, PPIs are among the top ten most regularly taken drugs. A study this year by University College London (UCL) involving 63,000 patients, found those taking PPIs for two weeks were twice as likely as those not on the drugs to develop stomach cancer in the following seven years.

If they stayed on them for a year, they were five times more at risk of cancer. And after three years of taking the drugs daily, the risk rose eight-fold. Scientists think PPIs may linked to cancer by stimulating a hormone called gastrin, known to play a part in triggering the growth of cancerous cells in the stomach. It is important to clarify that the UCL findings do not prove these drugs cause cancer, and researchers stressed the risk of stomach cancer in patients on the drugs is still small.

Chronic reflux can cause cells in the gullet to grow abnormally, a condition known as Barrett’s oesophagus that’s thought to affect one in ten people with reflux. Left untreated, this can develop into oesophageal cancer. PPIs such as Nexium, Zanprol, Prevacid and Prilosec, work by suppressing the release of stomach acid by cells, called proton pumps, in the stomach lining. In theory, PPIs should reduce oesophageal cancer rates by treating acid reflux.

An investigation in 2016 by Erasmus University Rotterdam in the Netherlands revealed men who regularly took PPIs were three times more likely to have low sperm counts. Meanwhile, research from Johns Hopkins University in the U.S. in 2015 found that those on PPIs were 90 per cent more likely to develop kidney failure, while a study conducted by McGill University in Canada in 2015 found that they raised the risk of hip fractures by 44 per cent. In all the studies, the longer people stay on them, the bigger the risk. In the U.S., the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has already acted on PPI safety fears and nearly 300 patients in New Jersey have filed lawsuits in the past year or so claiming the drugs left them with kidney damage and that manufacturers knew about the risks but failed to warn them.

Stomach acid protects against infection by destroying the spores containing the C.difficile bacterium before they infect the gut. But if the stomach is producing very little acid because PPIs are being taken every day, it boosts the bug’s chances of thriving. Lab research at Stanford University in the U.S. showed that the drugs don’t just turn off acid pumps in the stomach-they also block production of acid in every cell in the body. Each cell has an area called a lysosome, which contains enzymes that help to break down damaged or defective proteins, the debris from the ageing process. But these enzymes only work properly in acidic conditions.

If the lysosome is unable to release acid to help with this process (because PPIs have blocked the mechanism), waste material builds up and cells age quicker. People with acid reflux should be able to control it by quitting smoking (a big risk factor), losing weight or raising the head of the bed by six to eight inches (which stops gravity pulling acid out of the stomach during sleep). A study this year by University College London (UCL) involving 63,000 patients, found those taking PPIs for two weeks were twice as likely as those not on the drugs to develop stomach cancer in the following seven years. If they stayed on them for a year, they were five times more at risk of cancer.
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Mylotarg for treating acute myeloid leukemia

Mylotarg (gemtuzumab ozogamicin) has been approved for the treatment of adults with newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia whose tumors express the CD33 antigen (CD33-positive AML).

AML is a rapidly progressing cancer that forms in the bone marrow and results in an increased number of white blood cells in the bloodstream.

Mylotarg is a targeted therapy that consists of an antibody connected to an anti-tumor agent that is toxic to cells. It is thought to work by taking the anti-tumor agent to the AML cells that express the CD33 antigen, blocking the growth of cancerous cells and causing cell death.

Common side effects of Mylotarg are fever, nausea, infection, vomiting, bleeding, low levels of platelets in the blood, swelling and sores in the mouth, constipation, rash, headache, liver damage, and low levels of certain white blood cells.
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Besponsa for treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Food and Drug Administration approved Besponsa for the treatment of adults with relapsed or refractory B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia. ALL.

B-cell precursor ALL is a rapidly progressing type of cancer in which the bone marrow makes too many B-cell lymphocytes, an immature type of white blood cell.

Besponsa is a targeted therapy that is thought to work by binding to B-cell ALL cancer cells that express the CD22 antigen, blocking the growth of cancerous cells.

Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should not take Besponsa because it may cause harm to a developing fetus or a newborn baby.

Side effects of Besponsa include low levels of platelets, low levels of certain white blood cells, infection, low levels of red blood cells, fatigue, severe bleeding, fever, nausea, headache, low levels of white blood cells with fever, liver damage, abdominal pain, high levels of bilirubin in the blood,
decrease in blood cell and platelet production, infusion-related reactions and problems with the heart’s electrical pulses.
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Foods that cause cancer

Exposure to different chemicals and radiation in the atmosphere can increase risk of cancer. We are exposed to chemicals and radiation through foods, drugs, cosmetic and using of electrical and electronic devices.

We can reduce risk of cancer by what we eat to strengthen our immune systems against the daily chemical and  radiation exposure. We must prevent cancer causing foods to prevent overload of cancerous cells in our body system.

Common foods that cause cancer
Genetically modified foods.
Microwave Popcorn.
Canned foods.
Grilled red meat.
Refined sugar.
Salted, pickled and smoked foods.
White flour.
Hydrogenated vegetable oils.

Cancer can be prevented by eating raw, fresh and organic foods and regular consumption of non-starchy vegetables.
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Facts about cancer

Cancer is a condition where cells in a particular part of the body develop and reproduce uncontrollably. Cells can
experience uncontrolled growth if there are mutations to DNA, and it alters genes involved in cell division.

Cancer occurs when a cell's gene mutations make the cell unable to correct DNA damage. Normal cells in the body follow grow, divide and die.
Cancerous cells can destroy other healthy tissue and organs in the body, cancer can grow in any part of the body.
There are over 220 different types of cancer.

It alters normal cells division to form lumps or masses of tissue known as tumors. Tumors interfere with the digestive, nervous, and circulatory systems, and release hormones that alter proper body functions. Metastasis is multiplication and spread of cancers to other parts of the body to invade and destroy other healthy tissues.

Cancer is considered to be one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Carcinogens are tobacco, asbestos, arsenic, radiation such as gamma and x-rays, the sun, and compounds in car exhaust fumes are all examples of carcinogens.

 When our bodies are exposed to carcinogens, free radicals are formed that try to steal electrons from other molecules in the body. Theses free radicals damage cells and affect their ability to function normally.

Cancer can be the result of a genetic predisposition that is inherited from family members. It is possible to be born with certain genetic mutations or a fault in a gene that makes one more likely to develop cancer later in life.

African Americans are more likely to die of cancer than people of any other race. Risk of cancer can be reduced by avoiding tobacco, limiting alcohol intake, limiting UV ray exposure from the sun and tanning, eating healthy diet, and regular medical check.

There is an increase in the number of possible cancer-causing mutations in our DNA as we get older. Some viruses like human papillomavirus, hepatitis B and C and E, Human immunodeficiency virus and any disease that suppresses the immune system increases the risk of developing cancer.

There is an increase in the number of possible cancer-causing mutations in our DNA as we get older. Some viruses like human papillomavirus, hepatitis B and C and E, Human immunodeficiency virus and any disease that suppresses the immune system increases the risk of developing cancer.

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Side-effects of chemotherapy

CANCER is often treated with chemotherapy - a group of drugs used to destroy cancerous cells - but it comes with several side-effects.

Chemotherapy makes radiotherapy effective, relieves symptoms if a cure isn’t possible and reduce the risk of cancer coming back after radiotherapy or surgery.

There are two main types of chemotherapy- Intravenous
chemotherapy involves treatment via the vein. It is usually performed at hospital with medicine being given via a tube.

Oral chemotherapy is a tablets for treating cancer, it can kill cancer cells and healthy cells- particularly blood cells, skin cells and cells in the stomach.

Chemotherapy for brain cancer can kill some healthy brain cells, causing depression. Chemotherapy targets cells which are fast-growing - like cancer - but this also affect hair, bone marrow, skin and lining of digestive system.

Most of these will disappear after treatment, normal cells can replace or repair the damaged ones, and some might occur when taking the drugs.