Cancer remains one of the leading causes of death worldwide, with cancer affecting millions of people each year. While some risk factors, such as genetics and lifestyle choices, are well-known, recent studies have uncovered alarming links between certain cancers and exposure to dangerous drugs and environmental factors.
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Potential Causes of Common Cancers
Cancer development is often multifactorial, involving genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. While you cannot change some risk factors, such as age and family history, you can avoid many of them. Here’s a closer look at the causes of common cancers:
Causes of Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers affecting women worldwide.
Potential causes include:
- Genetic factors (BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations)
- Hormonal factors (early menstruation, late menopause, hormone replacement therapy)
- Lifestyle factors (obesity, alcohol consumption, lack of physical activity)
- Environmental factors (exposure to radiation, certain chemicals)
Causes of Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer primarily affects older men.
Potential causes include:
- Age (risk increases with age)
- Family history
- Race (more common in African American men)
- Diet (high in red meat and dairy products)
- Exposure to certain chemicals, including:
- NDMA in Zantac
- NDMA in Valsartan
- AFFF (firefighting foam) exposure
- Contaminated water at Camp Lejeune
Causes of Lung Cancer
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide. Potential causes include:
- Smoking (primary risk factor)
- Secondhand smoke exposure
- Radon gas exposure
- Occupational exposures (asbestos, arsenic, chromium)
- Air pollution
- Exposure to certain chemicals, including:
- NDMA in Zantac
- NDMA in Valsartan
- AFFF exposure
- Contaminated water at Camp Lejeune
Causes of Colon Cancer
Colon cancer is one of the most common cancers in both men and women.
Potential causes include:
- Age (risk increases with age)
- Family history of colorectal cancer
- Inflammatory bowel diseases (Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis)
- Diet high in red and processed meats
- Obesity and lack of physical activity
- Exposure to certain chemicals, including:
- NDMA in Zantac
- NDMA in Valsartan
- AFFF exposure
- Contaminated water at Camp Lejeune
Causes of Endometrial Cancer
Endometrial cancer affects the lining of the uterus.
Potential causes include:
- Hormonal imbalances (excess estrogen)
- Obesity
- Diabetes
- Late menopause
- Never having been pregnant
- Hair straighteners and relaxers
Causes of Kidney Cancer
Kidney cancer, also known as renal cell carcinoma, has several potential causes:
- Smoking
- Obesity
- High blood pressure
- Family history
- Chronic kidney disease
- Exposure to certain chemicals, including:
- NDMA in Zantac
- NDMA in Valsartan
- AFFF exposure
- Contaminated water at Camp Lejeune
Causes of Leukemia
Leukemia is a cancer of the blood-forming tissues.
Potential causes include:
- Genetic factors
- Exposure to high levels of radiation
- Exposure to certain chemicals (benzene)
- Chemotherapy drugs
- Certain blood disorders
- Exposure to certain chemicals, including:
- NDMA in Zantac
- NDMA in Valsartan
- AFFF exposure
- Contaminated water at Camp Lejeune
Causes of Liver Cancer
Liver cancer can have various causes, including:
- Chronic viral hepatitis (hepatitis B and C)
- Cirrhosis
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
- Exposure to aflatoxins
- Exposure to certain chemicals, including:
- NDMA in Zantac
- NDMA in Valsartan
- AFFF exposure
- Contaminated water at Camp Lejeune
Causes of Melanoma
Melanoma is a serious type of skin cancer.
Potential causes include:
- Ultraviolet (UV) radiation exposure (sunlight and tanning beds)
- Fair skin
- Family history
- Multiple moles
- Weakened immune system
- Exposure to certain chemicals, including:
- NDMA in Zantac
- NDMA in Valsartan
Causes of Pancreatic Cancer
Pancreatic cancer is often diagnosed at later stages.
Potential causes include:
- Smoking
- Obesity
- Diabetes
- Chronic pancreatitis
- Family history
- Exposure to certain chemicals, including:
- NDMA in Zantac
- NDMA in Valsartan
- AFFF exposure
- Contaminated water at Camp Lejeune
Causes of Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma
Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma is a cancer that starts in the lymphatic system.
Potential causes include:
- Weakened immune system
- Certain viral and bacterial infections
- Exposure to certain chemicals, including:
- Roundup (weed killer)
Cancer Lawsuits Involving Dangerous Drugs and Environmental Exposures
In recent years, a growing body of evidence has linked certain drugs, consumer products, and environmental exposures to increased cancer risk. This has led to numerous cancer lawsuits against manufacturers and other responsible parties. Here are some of the most significant legal actions related to cancer-causing substances:
Zantac Lawsuits
N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) is a probable human carcinogen that was found in certain batches of Zantac (ranitidine), a popular over-the-counter heartburn medication. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requested a market withdrawal of all ranitidine products in April 2020 due to the potential for NDMA levels to increase over time and when stored at higher temperatures.
People who took Zantac regularly and later developed cancer are filing Zantac lawsuits against the manufacturers, claiming that the companies knew or should have known about the NDMA contamination and failed to warn consumers.
Valsartan Lawsuits
NDMA was also found in some batches of valsartan, a prescription blood pressure medication. The FDA announced a recall of certain valsartan products in 2018 due to the presence of NDMA. As with Zantac, individuals who took contaminated Valsartan and subsequently developed cancer are pursuing Valsartan lawsuits against drug manufacturers and distributors.
AFFF Lawsuits
Military and civilian firefighters commonly use AFFF (Aqueous Film-Forming Foam) to extinguish flammable liquid fires. Unfortunately, AFFF contains PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), which are toxic and persist in the environment. AFFF exposure has been linked to several cancers, including prostate, lung, colon, kidney, leukemia, liver, and pancreatic cancer.
AFFF lawsuits against manufacturers claim they were aware of the risks but failed to warn firefighters and military personnel.
Camp Lejeune Lawsuits
From the 1950s to the 1980s, the water supply at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in North Carolina was contaminated with volatile organic compounds (VOCs), including trichloroethylene (TCE), perchloroethylene (PCE), benzene, and vinyl chloride.
These chemicals may cause serious health conditions and various cancers such as prostate, lung, colon, kidney, leukemia, liver, and pancreatic cancer.
Veterans, their families, and civilian workers who lived or worked at Camp Lejeune during this period and later developed health issues can seek compensation through Camp Lejeune lawsuits under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022.
Roundup Lawsuits
Roundup is a popular weed killer that contains glyphosate as its active ingredient. In 2015, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified glyphosate as "probably carcinogenic to humans."
Numerous Roundup lawsuits have been filed against Monsanto (now owned by Bayer) by individuals who developed non-Hodgkin's lymphoma after using Roundup, alleging that the company knew about the potential cancer risks but failed to warn consumers.
Hair Relaxer Lawsuits
Recent studies have suggested a potential link between the use of chemical hair straighteners or relaxers and an increased risk of certain cancers, particularly uterine and endometrial cancer. Some hair relaxer products have been found to contain endocrine-disrupting chemicals and formaldehyde, which may contribute to cancer risk.
As a result, women who have developed cancer after long-term use of hair relaxers are filing hair relaxer lawsuits against manufacturers of these products.
Seek Justice for Harmful Exposures
If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with cancer after exposure to dangerous drugs or environmental toxins, you may be entitled to compensation. Understanding the potential causes and filing a lawsuit against responsible parties can help you seek justice and compensation for your suffering.
Lawsuit Legal News is committed to helping individuals and families affected by cancer due to environmental exposures or dangerous drugs. Our experienced team of attorneys can evaluate your case, explain your legal options, and fight for the compensation you deserve.
Contact our experienced team today at 866-535-9515 or through our simple online form to learn more about your legal options.