by manovermachine | Aug 18, 2022 | Ovarian Cancer and Talcum Powder
Located at the ends of the fallopian tubes in the female reproductive system, ovaries are almond-sized glands that produce eggs and in which the female hormones estrogen and progesterone are made. The Mayo Clinic explains that ovarian cancer is a type of cancer that begins in the ovaries, but can multiply quickly and invade and destroy healthy body tissue anywhere in the body.
Ovarian cancer begins when cells in or near the ovaries develop mutations in their DNA. The cancer cells grow and multiply quickly, forming tumors which can break off to spread or metastasize to other parts of the body. Depending on where the cancer begins, determines the type of ovarian cancer that develops and what the best treatment options are.
- Epithelial ovarian cancer is the most common
- Stromal tumors which are rare are usually diagnosed earlier than other ovarian cancers
- Germ cell tumors are rare ovarian cancers that tend to occur at a younger age
Risk Factors for Ovarian Cancer
- Risk increases with age and is most often diagnosed in older women
- Certain gene changes inherited from your parents
- Family history of ovarian cancer
- Being overweight or obese
- Postmenopausal hormone replacement therapy
- Endometriosis
- Early menstruation and/or late menopause
- Never having been pregnant
Taking birth control pills can help reduce your risk of developing ovarian cancer. Genetic testing, especially if there is a family history of breast or ovarian cancers, can help decide whether you should consider surgery to remove your ovaries in order to prevent cancer.
Connection Between Ovarian Cancer and Talcum Powder Use
While Johnson & Johnson’s baby powder is probably the most recognizable brand of talcum powder used by women, there are multiple companies being sued by women diagnosed with ovarian cancer. The cancer-causing ingredient in talcum powder is asbestos, and when it is used on the genital area or on undergarments, sanitary pads, diaphragms or condoms it is thought that it can enter the body and travel through the vagina, uterus, and fallopian tubes to the ovaries. Among the many studies conducted so far on the possible link between talcum powder and ovarian cancer, results have been mixed. Some studies have reported a slightly increased risk and some studies have reported no increase.
Studies have suggested that there is an increased risk of lung cancer and other respiratory diseases among talc miners and millers, due to the asbestos content naturally found in talc. Purified talc in consumer products does not contain asbestos.
by manovermachine | Aug 18, 2022 | Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma and Roundup
The Mayo Clinic defines Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma as “a type of cancer that begins in your lymphatic system, which is part of the body’s germ-fighting immune system. In non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, white blood cells called lymphocytes grow abnormally and can form growths (tumors) throughout the body.”
A blood cancer, there are more than 90 types of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) and approximately 82,000 people are diagnosed with NHL each year in the United States. Any lymphoma that is not chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) or small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL) or does not involve the Reed-Sternberg cells is classified as a non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
To differentiate, Hodgkin’s lymphoma(HL) involves the Reed-Sternberg cells, and there are five types of HL. Reed-Sternberg cells are large, abnormal lymphocytes, which is a type of white blood cell, that may contain more than one nucleus.
Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma commonly begins in the body’s B cells or T cells, and determining where your NHL originates helps determine treatment options.
Symptoms of NHL
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Fever
- Unexplained weight loss
- Excessive sweating
- Chills
- Lack of energy
- Itching
Since these are common symptoms of many other illnesses, and can often be mistaken as the flu, it’s important to be examined by a doctor in order to rule out lymphoma as the cause.
Risk Factors for NHL
- Immune-suppressing medications, such as those taken after an organ transplant
- Certain viral and bacterial infections, like HIV and Epstein-Barr.
- Certain chemicals used to kill insects and weeds, such as Roundup
- Risk increases with age
Glyphosate is the active ingredient in the weedkiller Roundup that is thought to be carcinogenic. The EPA is still reviewing data on the herbicide to determine whether it is harmful or not, however courts have taken up Roundup lawsuits and have been awarding damages to people who blame Roundup for their non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Roundup is still available in 130 countries and is approved for 100 different kinds of crops.
In 1996, Monsanto began marketing “Roundup Ready” seeds for various crops that were genetically modified to be immune to glyphosate. As a result, glyphosate use by farmers increased as much as triple what they were using. By 2016, glyphosate use increased nearly 15-fold. A 2019 study in the journal Mutation Research/Reviews in Mutation Research reported a link between long-term, high-use exposure to glyphosate and a 41 percent increase in the risk of developing non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
Lymphoma Research Foundation Resources
Fact Sheets & Guides
Education Programs
LRF Helpline
by manovermachine | Aug 18, 2022 | Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Malignant mesothelioma is a tumor of the tissue (mesothelium) lining the lungs, stomach, heart, and other organs but the most common form affects the lungs. The most common symptoms include cough, chest pain, and shortness of breath. Other symptoms include fever or night sweats, fluid around the lungs, fatigue and muscle weakness. While treatments are available to extend life expectancy and quality of life, it is a rare and aggressive cancer and there is no cure.
Risk Factors for Mesothelioma
The fact that it takes 20-50 years to develop means that the average age of diagnosis for mesothelioma is 65 or older. The people most at risk for developing this cancer are those who have worked directly with the mineral asbestos or with products containing asbestos. Asbestos in the workplace, in homes, schools, public buildings and naval ships has led to dangerous exposure. Veterans, firefighters, miners, auto mechanics, construction workers, HVAC technicians, electricians, textile mill workers and their family members are all at risk due to their possible long term exposure to asbestos. Those with a family history of mesothelioma and those who have had radiation therapy for cancer in the chest area might also have an increased risk of mesothelioma.
Prognosis and Life Expectancy
As with all cancers, the earlier mesothelioma is detected, the better the outcome that can be expected. The cancer falls into one of four stages, based on size and location. In stage 1, the cancer is localized and surgery can be effective. Median life expectancy at stage 1 is 22.2 months. In stage 2, tumors have spread to adjacent structures. While surgery is still an option, median life expectancy is 20 months. In stage 3, cancer has spread to regional lymph nodes and surgery is an option only in select cases. The median life expectancy in stage 3 is 17.9 months. In stage 4, tumors have spread to distant organs. Chemotherapy and immunotherapy ease symptoms and the median life expectancy is 14.9 months.
Age, gender, and overall health are factors that affect the outlook for those diagnosed with mesothelioma. Younger patients and women have a better prognosis than older men.
Resources for More Information
Asbestos.com – Mesothelioma
MayoClinic.org – Mesothelioma Symptoms and Causes
PennMedicine.org – The Asbestos and Mesothelioma Connection
by manovermachine | Aug 18, 2022 | 3M Earplugs Hearing Loss
Hearing loss is common as we age, and according to the Mayo Clinic, almost half the people in the United States over age 65 have some degree of hearing loss. Hearing loss can be conductive, involving the outer or middle ear, or sensorineural which involves the inner ear, or mixed, which is a combination of both.
Symptoms of Hearing Loss
Signs of hearing loss include:
- Difficulty understanding others speaking
- Trouble hearing consonants
- Needing to ask others to speak louder or repeat what they say
- Needing to turn up the volume or turn on captioning on the TV
- Muffling of speech and other sounds
- Continuous ringing or static sounds in the ears (tinnitus)
Hearing loss can lead to a loss of confidence in social situations and the tendency to withdraw from or avoid conversations. Hearing loss can result in depression and isolation and even cognitive impairment and decline. As hearing loss can occur gradually, you may not notice it at first, but it can have a significant effect on quality of life.
Causes of Hearing Loss
While normal aging is probably the most common risk factor for hearing loss, it can also occur as a result of physical damage to the inner ear or the eardrum. Ear infection and abnormal bone growths or tumors can also cause hearing loss.
Risk factors that can lead to ear damage and hearing loss include long-term or repeated exposure to loud noise, recreational or occupational noise. Those who work in environments like the military, farming, construction, or factory work are at risk of hearing loss. Firearms, jet engines, motorcycling, snowmobiling, loud music, and other activities can have dangerously high noise levels.
In addition, heredity, some medications, and some illnesses can also contribute to ear damage and hearing loss.
3M Combat Arms Earplugs
Military personnel are routinely exposed to high noise levels from gunfire, explosions, aircraft, and heavy machinery and for that reason they are provided with earplugs to protect their hearing and minimize the risk of hearing loss. From 2003 to 2015, the U.S. military issued the 3M Combat Arms version 2 Earplugs to personnel for that purpose. Those specific earplugs were defective, and as a result, thousands of soldiers have suffered hearing loss or tinnitus after believing they were protected. Many veterans are now filing legal claims against 3M for knowingly selling the defective devices to the Department of Defense.
by manovermachine | Aug 17, 2022 | Philips Recalled BiPAP, CPAP, Ventilators
In a press release on August 16, 2022, Royal Philips announced that it is replacing its CEO Frans van Houten, who has been in the role for more than a decade, with Roy Jakobs. After the recall last year, revenues began slipping and fell 13 percent in second quarter 2022 as compared to second quarter 2021. The change in leadership will become official October 15, and Mr. van Houten will act as an adviser until April 30, 2023.
Following the recall of millions of ventilators in June 2021 that have been tied to 168 deaths, the company initiated a separate recall of additional devices that were not part of the original recall. All of its V60, V60 Plus, and V680 ventilators were recalled, more than 56,000 of which were distributed in the U.S. between May 2009 and December 2021, as reported by Fierce Biotech. All of these models are indicated for use only in healthcare facilities.
This recall was prompted by an issue with the internal power mechanism in the machines. An energy fluctuation could force the backup alarm controller to reboot, which could cause a complete shutdown of the device with no visible or audible alarm or warning.
Philips has issued guidance for healthcare providers who continue using the devices after taking some mitigating actions. They are strongly recommending that all users connect the devices to a nurse call or remote alarm system and make sure to respond promptly to every alarm issued by the device or the backup alarm system, regardless of priority level. They have also recommended that users install an oxygen analyzer and use pulse oximeters to serve as additional monitors for potential shutdowns.
Philips also recommends having backup ventilators at the ready in the event one of their devices does shut down. That would make it easier to immediately disconnect the patient from the faulty device and get them connected to a backup device as quickly as possible.