Arsenic Increases the Risk of Deadly Melanoma

Arsenic is a heavy metal contaminant found in water, in the soil from the natural breakdown of rocks, as a contaminant from mining, and it has been used as an antibacterial in chicken. Low-level exposure causes discoloration of the skin, keratoses of the hands and feet, and cancers of the lung, kidney, liver, and bladder. Arsenic contamination is a problem worldwide including in the US, Canada, Mexico, Australia, Pakistan, Japan, China, Chile, etc.

Arsenic also increases the risk of nonmelanoma skin cancer. In the current study researchers from the National Cancer Institute in Bethesda, Maryland looked for a connection between melanoma, the most deadly form of skin cancer, and chronic arsenic exposure. They analyzed toenail clippings from 373 Iowa residents with colorectal cancer, and 368 Iowa residents with melanoma. Arsenic accumulates in the hair and toenails, and toenail samples can provide a long-term picture of chronic arsenic exposure. Patients with the highest toenail arsenic concentrations were more than twice as likely to develop melanoma as those with the lowest concentrations. The risk was not related to skin type or color, or a history of sunburn. The study is published in the October 2004 issue of the American Journal of Epidemiology.

Commentary by Jerry Hickey, R.Ph.

We have had quit a few people coming into our InVite locations who have been tested for heavy metal exposure. It is common to see elevated arsenic levels, as well as mercury, lead, cadmium, and many other heavy metals. The best antidote to arsenic is NAC and Sulforaphane.

Experts Concerned about CT Scan - Cancer Connection

A new report states that patients getting chest X-rays, CT body scans, and other tests with radiation exposure are not getting enough information about the cancer risks. A child receiving a CT scan has a 1 in 1,000 chance of cancer death risk and parents aren't usually informed of this. In his paper, Eugenio Picano, MD, of the National Research Council in Pisa, Italy, states that some of the radioactive isotopes used as contrast media in diagnostic tests may have the same radiation dosage as 50 to 4,000 chest X-rays depending on the specific radioactive medical procedure. According to Dr. Picano the patient is often misinformed purposely and is told the exposure level is that of one chest X-ray. The report is published in the October 9th, 2004 edition of the British Medical Journal.

Commentary by Jerry Hickey, R.Ph.

If you must expose yourself to radiation the following nutrients offer some protection - GliSODin, Ellagic Acid, L-Carnosine, Green Tea Polyphenols especially EGCG, Resveratrol, Tocotrienols, Astaxanthin, NAC and Alpha-Lipoic Acid.