Does glyphosate increase your risk of lymph node cancer?
Whether glyphosate causes lymph node cancer remains unresolved after several large analyses. If you are occupationally exposed at an intensive level, discuss this with your occupational health physician.
The debate about glyphosate and lymph node cancer (non-Hodgkin lymphoma, NHL) revolves around conflicting results from several large analyses. One meta-analysis found a 41% higher risk in the most exposed group. But two other meta-analyses found barely any elevated risk (a factor of 1.03 and 1.05 respectively), and neither was statistically significant. A large American study of farmers found no association at all with NHL or any of its subtypes. The conclusion is therefore not settled.
The signal is sharpest for an aggressive subtype: diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Two of the meta-analyses find a slightly elevated risk of around 30% for that subtype. But even that is not statistically certain across all calculations, and it is not a proven causal relationship. A pooled study found an elevated risk with more than two days of use per year, but that effect largely disappeared once researchers also accounted for simultaneous exposure to other pesticides. That is an important caveat.
In laboratory and animal research, glyphosate causes DNA damage in the cells from which lymph node cancer originates, and it activates an enzyme that plays a role in that cancer development. That makes it biologically plausible that a relationship exists. But laboratory results do not by any means always translate into the same effect in humans. Moreover, some of these mechanistic findings come from a researcher who was paid as an expert witness in lawsuits concerning glyphosate.
Two of the meta-analyses flag publication bias: studies that find an elevated risk are published more often than studies that find nothing. If that is correct, the actual risk is smaller than the positive analyses suggest. For other blood cancers such as multiple myeloma, no elevated risk has been found. For acute myeloid leukaemia there is an indication in the most heavily exposed group, but it was not statistically convincing in the main analysis.
This answer is based on four separate meta-analyses, two review articles on the underlying mechanisms, a large prospective study in farmers, and a pooled analysis of multiple studies. The researchers conducting the meta-analyses themselves characterise the evidence as contradictory and warn of signs of publication bias, which further limits the certainty. The mechanistic evidence comes in part from a researcher with a potential conflict of interest.
Does eating a lot of sugar increase my risk of cancer?
Drinking large amounts of sugar-sweetened beverages is associated with a noticeably higher risk of certain cancers, particularly early-onset colorectal cancer and liver cancer. The association is observational, but consistent enough to make reducing soft drinks and fruit juice a concrete point of attention.
Does linoleic acid in tissue increase the risk of skin cancer?
There are preliminary indications that higher linoleic acid levels are associated with a higher melanoma risk, but the evidence is too thin and inconsistent to justify avoiding linoleic acid. Those concerned about skin cancer would benefit more from ensuring adequate vitamin D intake and protection against UV radiation.
Does being overweight increase my risk of cancer, and if so, which types?
Excess weight increases your risk of at least 13 types of cancer, including uterine, colorectal, breast and liver cancer. Losing weight reduces that risk, although it remains unclear whether all methods of weight loss are equally effective for immune defence against cancer.
Does a Helicobacter infection in your stomach increase your risk of stomach cancer?
An H. pylori infection demonstrably increases your risk of stomach cancer, but the risk for any individual remains limited. Get tested if you have not yet been treated, and discuss treatment with your doctor.
Does working with pesticides increase your risk of cancer?
Working with pesticides is associated in multiple studies with an increased risk of several types of cancer, including bladder, bowel, and blood cancers. Avoiding unprotected contact is sensible, especially if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.
Does alcohol increase your risk of cancer, even with one drink a day?
Yes, even one drink a day increases the risk of certain cancers, particularly breast and colorectal cancer. There is no safe lower threshold; drinking less or stopping reduces your risk immediately.