Roundup contains a chemical known as glyphosate, which continues to show a link to the development of a kind of cancer known as non-Hodgkin Lymphoma.
Roundup and Glyphosate
A broad new scientific analysis published in Mutation Research/Reviews in Mutation Research found significant correspondence between Roundup and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The researchers from the University of California Berkeley, the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, the Institute for Translational Epidemiology and Department of Population Health Science and Policy, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, and the Department of Biostatistics, University of Washington, Seattle, USA came together to publish this report that connects the chemical glyphosate, which is the primary chemical in Roundup, to non-Hodgkin lymphoma. In fact, their research shows that those persons with high exposure to this common pesticide have a 41% increased risk of developing non-Hodgkin lymphoma over their lifetime.
Other studies led the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) to make the determination that glyphosate was “probably carcinogenic.” Additionally, while the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) have continued to take the position that glyphosate does not increase any cancer risk to humans, more and more evidence continues to mount, including evidence demonstrating that glyphosate may alter a person’s DNA, as indicated in a study done by the Archives of Toxicology.
Studies Linking Roundup and Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
While recent studies have found a link between Roundup and non-Hodgkin lymphoma, studies have been done for decades providing a connection between these two. Some of the studies include the following:
- International Journal of Cancer – A Swedish study in 2008 clearly showed that exposure to glyphosate actually doubles the risk of an individual developing non-Hodgkin lymphoma within 10 years.
- Occupational and Environmental Medicine – In 2003, a United States study showed a significant and substantial increase in cases of non-Hodgkin lymphoma among those farm workers in the Midwest who used Roundup.
- Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers & Prevention – As far back as 2001, nearly 20 years ago, Canadian researchers found a direct link between glyphosate and non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
Symptoms of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
Over 42,000 victims have filed a claim against the Monsanto Company (now known as Bayer) regarding victims who believe that their Roundup product directly caused their development of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Symptoms of non-Hodgkin lymphoma include the following:
- Enlarged lymph nodes
- Abdominal pain
- Chest pressure or pain
- Swollen abdomen or stomach
- Shortness of breath
- Weight loss
- Cough
- Fever
- Anemia
- Night sweats/chills
- Chronic fatigue
- Nausea and/or vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Headaches
- Skin rash
- Challenges and difficulty moving.
Understanding Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
According to the American Cancer Society, lymphomas are a type of cancer that affects the lymphatic system of the body. The lymphatic system is the first line of defense against infections and diseases and helps fluids move throughout the body. Lymphomas (cancers of the lymphatic system) can occur in lymph nodes, the spleen, bone marrow, the thymus, adenoids, the tonsils, or the digestive tract. The American Cancer Society also indicates that non-Hodgkin lymphoma is one of the most common cancers in the United States and represents 4% of the total cancers in America.
Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
According to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, a significant increase in non-Hodgkin lymphoma exists in farming communities throughout the United States. Most research points to the chemical glyphosate in Roundup, which is an herbicide and pesticide used for decades. There are actually several different types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and therefore making the classification regarding which type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma a victim has can be challenging. However, the WHO classification bases the diagnosis on where the lymphoma starts, how the lymphoma acts under a microscope, the chromosomal characteristics of the lymphoma cells, and the development of specific proteins on the cell’s surface.
Treatments for Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
Lymphomas remain treatable through immunotherapy, chemotherapy, and radiation depending on the progression, severity, and type of lymphoma. Survival rates continue to increase as more advanced medicine and treatments become available. If you believe you have any symptoms associated with non-Hodgkin lymphoma, you should seek a medical evaluation as soon as possible to ensure the best medical treatment.
Consider a Roundup Lawyer
The most commonly known kind of cancer caused by Roundup is non-Hodgkin lymphoma. If you believe that you suffered injuries, or your loved one developed non-Hodgkin lymphoma based on exposure to Roundup or the chemical glyphosate, consider visiting with our legal team at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm at (800) 794-0444 to learn how a Roundup lawyer can help you understand your legal rights and help you determine your next steps.