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Pregnant people exposed to cancer-linked chemicals in household items, dyes – study

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4 years ago

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A pregnant woman

Pregnant people are being exposed through various household products to toxic compounds that can increase the risk of cancer and harm child development, a new study has found.

Scientists identified two such compounds — the industrial chemical melamine and its byproduct cyanuric acid — in the urine of almost all the pregnant subjects they tested, with the highest levels occurring in women of color and in those with greater exposure to tobacco.

Four types of chemicals used in dyes, called aromatic amines, were also present in the urine of nearly all pregnant participants, according to the study, published in Chemosphere on Tuesday.

“These chemicals are of serious concern due to their links to cancer and developmental toxicity, yet they are not routinely monitored in the United States,” co-senior author Tracey Woodruff, a professor of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive medicine at the University of California, San Francisco, said in a statement.

Woodruff and her colleagues decided to investigate the presence of melamine, its derivative cyanuric acid and aromatic amines because they are all nitrogen-containing compounds with known toxicity and widespread commercial use.

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People can be exposed to melamine and aromatic amines in a variety of way of ways: by breathing polluted air, consuming contaminated food or water, ingesting household dust and using products that contain plastic, dyes and pigments, the scientists explained.

The production of cyanuric acid and melamine exceeds 100 million pounds per year in the U.S. alone, according to the authors. Melamine is found in dishwater, plastics, flooring, kitchen counters and pesticides, while cyanuric acid is used as a disinfectant, plastic stabilizer and cleaning solvent in swimming pools, the scientists noted.

When exposure to melamine and cyanuric acid chemicals happens simultaneously, they can be more toxic than either one alone, the authors cautioned.

Aromatic amines, meanwhile, are present in hair dyes, mascara, tattoo ink, paint, tobacco smoke and diesel exhaust.

Despite the prevalence of these chemicals in household products, the authors stressed that biomonitoring of the chemicals is lacking, particularly during pregnancy.

Melamine was recognized as a kidney toxin after baby formula and pet food poisoning events in 2004, 2007 and 2008 left several individuals dead and caused kidney stones and urinary tract obstructions in others, according to the authors.

Additional research from animal experiments, they added, has suggested that melamine impedes brain function.

To draw their conclusions in the Chemosphere study, the researchers measured 45 chemicals linked to cancer and other health risks in urine samples from a small but diverse group of 171 pregnant people.

The subjects had participated in the National Institutes of Health’s Environmental Influences on Child Health Outcomes Program between 2008 and 2020.

The 171 participants came from California, Georgia, Illinois, New Hampshire, New York and Puerto Rico, according to the study.

About 34 percent of them were white, 40 percent were Latina, 20 percent were Black, 4 percent were Asian and the remaining 3 percent were from other or multiple ethnicities.

Levels of one of the aromatic amines, 3,4-dichloroaniline, were more than 100-percent higher among Black and Hispanic women in comparison to white women, the study found.

“It’s disconcerting that we continue to find higher levels of many of these harmful chemicals in people of color,” study co-senior author Jessie Buckley, an associate professor at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, said in a statement.

Giehae Choi, a postdoctoral fellow at the Bloomberg School of Public Health and first author of the study, stressed that their observations “raise concerns for the health of pregnant women and fetuses.”

“Some of these chemicals are known carcinogens and potential developmental toxicants,” Choi added. “Regulatory action is clearly needed to limit exposure.”

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FG strengthens emergency response, releases medical hotlines for Nigerians

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3 days ago

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August 20, 2026

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FG strengthens emergency response, releases medical hotlines for Nigerians

FG strengthens emergency response, releases medical hotlines for Nigerians

The Federal Government has urged Nigerians to dial 112 whenever they face a medical emergency requiring urgent attention, as it released a list of emergency medical call centre numbers covering states across the country and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The National Emergency Medical Service and Ambulance System (NEMSAS) said the toll-free 112 emergency number serves as a central access point for emergency medical assistance, while several states have additional dedicated numbers to facilitate faster responses.

NEMSAS said its emergency response system is designed to provide rapid intervention, professional medical care and life-saving services, with emergency responders available around the clock.

The agency released emergency contact numbers covering 35 states and the FCT, although it listed the emergency call centres in Benue and Imo as not operational.

Under the emergency contact arrangements, residents of Abia can call 112 or 08000000800, while those in Adamawa can use 112, 1755 or 07011111443.

In Akwa Ibom, the listed numbers are 112, 08000022322 and 08000022422, while residents of Anambra can call 112, 5111 or 08002200008.

Residents of Bauchi can dial 112 or 07038636433, while Bayelsa residents can use 112 or 08002200223. NEMSAS listed Borno as 112 or 08000000033, while Cross River has 112 as its listed emergency number.

For Delta, the listed contacts are 112, 07041008130 and 07041008131, while residents of Ebonyi can call 112, 08086446891 or 08086445736.

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In Edo, residents can use 112, 739 or 09037999871, while Ekiti lists 112, 08000606606, 0811111122, 0811111133, 0811111144 and 0811111155.

Residents of Enugu can call 112, 09074996090 or 07066466429, while Gombe lists 112 or 07033825646. Jigawa has 112 as its listed emergency number, while Kaduna residents can call 112 or 08064111599.

For Kano, the listed emergency contacts are 112, 09019999920 and 09049999914. Katsina and Kebbi each have 112 listed as their emergency number.

Residents of Kogi can dial 112, while Kwara residents can call 112, 09062010001 or 09062010002.

In Lagos, the listed emergency numbers are 112 and 767, while Nasarawa residents can use 112 or 08144911269.

Residents of Niger State can call 112, 08022422953 or 08155577513, while those in Osun can use 112, 08111110532 or 08111110561.

For Ogun, the listed numbers are 112 and 08112000033, while Ondo residents can call 112 or 08055300300.

Residents of Oyo can dial 112 or 615, while Plateau lists 112 or 09136982496.

In Rivers, residents can call 112, 09040222281, 09040222283 or 09040222285, while Sokoto residents can use 112, 07045963318 or 07071765080.

For Taraba, the listed emergency contacts are 112, 07041122777 and 07041100777, while Yobe residents can call 112, 09169981792 or 08000090009.

Zamfara has 112 as its listed emergency number, while residents of the FCT can call 112, 09157892931 or 09157892932.

The release is part of ongoing efforts by the Federal Government to strengthen emergency medical services in Nigeria, improve ambulance response and reduce delays in transporting patients to appropriate healthcare facilities.

NEMSAS has previously disclosed that emergency medical service structures have been established across the 36 states and the FCT, although the level of operational readiness differs from one state to another.

The agency has also identified challenges affecting the nationwide use of 112, including connectivity problems and inadequate public awareness. It has called for stronger collaboration with telecommunications providers to improve access to the emergency line.

To complement the national number, NEMSAS has therefore encouraged states to maintain dedicated emergency call centres and provide alternative contacts for residents.

The Federal Government is also pursuing a digital emergency dispatch platform designed to connect emergency callers, ambulance operators and healthcare facilities. The system is expected to support faster dispatch, patient tracking, referrals and coordination between emergency responders and treatment centres.

NEMSAS has expanded the deployment of emergency response assets, including ambulances and other vehicles designed to reach communities that may be difficult to access with conventional emergency vehicles.

The agency’s Rural Emergency Service and Maternal Transport (RESMAT) programme is also aimed at improving access to emergency transportation for pregnant women, newborns and other residents in underserved communities.

NEMSAS has called for greater public awareness of emergency services and urged Nigerians not to delay seeking help when confronted with life-threatening situations.

The agency advised residents to save 112 and their relevant state emergency numbers on their mobile phones so they can quickly request assistance when needed.

NEMSAS stressed that its emergency medical response service operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and that prompt access to professional emergency care can be critical in saving lives.

FG strengthens emergency response, releases medical hotlines for Nigerians

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Stage 4 Cancer: Understanding Ogogo’s Diagnosis and Treatment Options

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5 days ago

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August 18, 2026

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Stage 4 Cancer: Understanding Ogogo's Diagnosis and Treatment Options
Veteran Yoruba actor Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo

Stage 4 Cancer: Understanding Ogogo’s Diagnosis and Treatment Options

The recent emotional appeals by the daughters of veteran Yoruba actor Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo, have drawn national attention to the realities of stage-four cancer. The 66-year-old film icon’s family revealed he was diagnosed with the advanced disease about three weeks ago and that hospitals have indicated they can no longer continue chemotherapy. This has sparked confusion and concern, prompting a medical expert to clarify what a stage-four diagnosis truly means, how it is treated, and why palliative care is not the same as being abandoned.

Stage-four cancer is the most advanced stage in the commonly used TNM staging system. It generally means the cancer has spread from where it first developed to distant parts of the body—a process known as metastasis. Dr. Olusina Ajidahun, a medical doctor and health communicator known as The Bearded Dr Sina on X, explained it simply: “Stage 4 cancer means the cancer has left the primary organ and gone to other sites.” Cancer staging uses the TNM system to assess the size and extent of the main tumor, whether nearby lymph nodes are affected, and whether the cancer has spread to distant parts of the body. The stage given at diagnosis remains the same, even if the cancer worsens or spreads further.

Symptoms of cancer vary depending on the type and location of the disease. According to medical experts, possible symptoms include unexplained weight loss, persistent tiredness, unusual bleeding, persistent pain, a lump or swelling anywhere on the body, changes in bowel or bladder habits, persistent cough or hoarseness, difficulty swallowing, and changes to the skin. For metastatic cancer, symptoms depend on where the cancer has spread. Spread to the bones can cause pain or fractures, spread to the brain can cause headaches, seizures, or dizziness, spread to the lungs can cause shortness of breath, and spread to the liver can cause jaundice or abdominal swelling. It is important to note that many of these symptoms can be caused by other illnesses, and a persistent or unusual symptom should always be assessed by a healthcare professional rather than self-diagnosed. Some cancers may cause few or no noticeable symptoms in their early stages, which is why regular screenings are recommended for certain cancers and groups of people. Early diagnosis can significantly improve the chances that cancer will respond to treatment.

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Yes, stage-four cancer can be treated. Treatment depends on several factors, including the type of cancer, where it has spread, the characteristics of the cancer, the patient’s general health, and how the cancer responds to treatment. Depending on the circumstances, doctors may use chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, hormone therapy, radiation therapy, or surgery. In October 2025, Nigeria launched its first immunotherapy program for metastatic colorectal cancer at National Hospital Abuja, marking a significant step forward in advanced cancer care in Sub-Saharan Africa. For many patients with metastatic cancer, the goals of treatment shift to shrinking or controlling the cancer, slowing its growth, relieving symptoms, helping the patient live longer, and maintaining quality of life. Research shows advancements in treatment options are helping people with metastatic cancer live longer and have a better quality of life overall.

Dr. Ajidahun clarified that when patients reach stage four and chemotherapy and other available therapies have been explored, doctors may recommend palliative care. “When patients have stage 4 cancer and chemo and/or other therapies have been explored, there is a form of care called PALLIATIVE CARE… which is end-of-life care and care for terminal diseases because at the point of the disease you cannot treat it, but you can manage associated symptoms and give the person a good quality of life before death,” he explained. He stressed that moving a patient to palliative care does not mean medical treatment has been withdrawn. Rather, it may reflect a change in the goal of care, particularly when doctors believe further aggressive treatment could cause more harm than benefit. Palliative care focuses on improving quality of life, managing symptoms such as pain, difficulty breathing, and other problems associated with cancer or its treatment. It does not necessarily mean that cancer treatment has stopped or that doctors have given up on the patient.

Dr. Ajidahun cautioned that describing the situation as hospitals refusing to treat the actor could create a misleading impression and potentially expose medical personnel to hostility. “Saying they don’t want to treat my father makes it look like they are intentionally rejecting him, and in the context of recent happenings in the health sector, it can trigger an insurrection and put a bad label on health care workers,” he said. In response to one of Ogogo’s daughters mentioning herbs as a possible option, Dr. Ajidahun issued a strong warning: “There are no herbs that will treat a stage 4 cancer.” He cautioned that unverified concoctions could damage more organs and cause further complications, ultimately wasting money and creating more problems. “These concoctions will end up damaging more organs and causing more complications. You’d end up wasting money and causing more problems,” he said.

Public information about Ogogo’s health remains limited. His daughters have publicly said that he is battling stage-four cancer and have appealed for medical assistance. According to reports, several hospitals have turned their father away because of his condition, and the family is seeking medical direction rather than financial donations. The public reports do not establish the specific type of cancer Ogogo has, the extent to which it may have spread, or his detailed medical prognosis. Those questions can only be properly assessed by his medical team after reviewing his diagnosis, scans, pathology results, treatment history, and overall health. Key takeaways from this explanation are that stage-four cancer means the cancer has spread to distant parts of the body, treatment is still possible and may aim to control the cancer, relieve symptoms, and prolong life, palliative care focuses on managing symptoms and improving quality of life and is not abandonment, herbal remedies for stage-four cancer are dangerous and unproven, and Ogogo’s specific prognosis cannot be determined from public information alone.

Stage 4 Cancer: Understanding Ogogo’s Diagnosis and Treatment Options

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Tinubu approves 25 new cancer treatment machines, FG begins wider cancer-care expansion

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2 weeks ago

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August 11, 2026

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Tinubu approves 25 new cancer treatment machines, FG begins wider cancer-care expansion

Tinubu approves 25 new cancer treatment machines, FG begins wider cancer-care expansion

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the procurement of 25 additional linear accelerators between 2027 and 2029 as part of the Federal Government’s efforts to expand cancer treatment capacity and strengthen cancer control in Nigeria.

The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Salako, disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja during a meeting of the National Cancer Control Plan (NCCP) Technical Working Group and Global Advisory Council.

Salako said the approval was part of a three-year plan to increase access to radiotherapy and other specialised cancer services across the country.

“Recently, President Bola Tinubu approved that between 2027 and 2029, the country should procure an additional 25 linear accelerators. We are executing a three-year plan to achieve this,” the minister said.

Linear accelerators, commonly known as LINACs, are machines used in radiotherapy to deliver high-energy radiation to cancer cells while limiting damage to surrounding healthy tissue. Their availability is critical to the treatment of many cancer patients requiring radiation therapy.

The planned procurement comes under the Federal Government’s National Cancer Control Plan 2026–2030, which seeks to reduce cancer incidence, illness and deaths while improving access to prevention, early detection, diagnosis, treatment and supportive care.

Salako said Nigeria continued to face a significant cancer burden, with many patients presenting at health facilities when their diseases had already reached advanced stages.

He identified inadequate infrastructure, shortages of skilled healthcare workers and limited funding among the challenges affecting cancer treatment and care in the country.

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The minister said the government was therefore pursuing a comprehensive cancer-control strategy that places equal emphasis on prevention, early detection, treatment, research, workforce development and partnerships.

Prevention, he said, remains a major priority of the administration.

Salako noted that President Tinubu had approved the inclusion of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination in Nigeria’s routine immunisation programme.

“The President particularly continues to emphasise prioritising prevention. That is why one of the very first things he did was to approve that routinely, HPV vaccination should be part of our immunisation schedule,” he said.

HPV vaccination is an important public-health intervention because persistent infection with certain HPV types can cause cervical cancer and other cancers.

Salako added that the Federal Government was also working to strengthen hepatitis vaccination, expand cervical cancer screening and integrate screening services into primary healthcare facilities across the country.

“Prevention is better and cheaper than cure,” he said.

Beyond prevention, the government is also expanding specialised treatment infrastructure.

Salako disclosed that construction of six Cancer Centres of Excellence had commenced, with three already completed and work progressing on the remaining centres.

The centres are expected to improve access to specialised oncology services across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones and reduce the pressure on existing cancer-treatment facilities.

The minister also inaugurated the Blood Cancer Consortium following the donation of equipment and other resources aimed at strengthening pathology laboratories and improving the diagnosis and management of blood cancers.

The President of the Nigerian Cancer Society, Prof. Abidemi Omonisi, commended the Federal Government for adopting a more coordinated approach to tackling cancer.

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Omonisi identified fragmented interventions among government agencies, development partners, researchers and other stakeholders as one of the challenges that had affected previous cancer-control efforts.

He said the NCCP Technical Working Group was helping to address the problem by bringing together government institutions, researchers, clinicians, development partners, cancer organisations, patients and other stakeholders under a common national framework.

According to him, stronger international partnerships and greater engagement with Nigerians in the diaspora could improve cancer research, technology transfer, workforce development and access to advanced cancer-care services.

Earlier, the Chair of the NCCP Technical Working Group, Prof. Folakemi Odedina, said the group had moved from planning to implementation.

She said the initiative had united government institutions, academics, patients, advocates, survivors, industry players and international partners around a common national cancer-control agenda.

Odedina said work was progressing across several areas, including cancer prevention, early detection, treatment, survivorship, palliative care, research, clinical trials, workforce development and digital health.

She added that the Global Advisory Council was providing expertise in cancer prevention and treatment, genomics, implementation science, workforce development, data management and artificial intelligence.

Odedina said efforts were also underway to strengthen Nigeria’s oncology clinical trials ecosystem and improve patients’ access to innovative treatment options.

“We intend to produce trained people, stronger institutions in Nigeria, better research, expanded clinical trials, improved technologies, greater access to care, and ultimately better outcomes for Nigerian cancer patients,” she said.

She, however, stressed that expanding medical treatment alone would not guarantee better outcomes if patients could not afford other costs associated with cancer care.

According to her, patients may also require support for transportation, nutrition and accommodation during treatment, particularly when specialised services are unavailable close to their communities.

Also speaking, Prof. Taofeek Owonikoko, Global Advisory Council Director at the University of Maryland Greenebaum Cancer Centre, said the partnership would strengthen coordination between Nigerian institutions and international cancer organisations.

He said the framework would help ensure that international interventions were aligned with Nigeria’s national priorities rather than operating independently.

Owonikoko described the ambition of achieving a cancer-free Nigeria by 2030 as a long-term goal that would require sustained investment in healthcare systems, research, infrastructure and treatment strategies.

“I’m very convinced that the 2030 cancer-free Nigeria is not going to be a slogan.

“While we may not make Nigeria cancer-free in 2030, I think we would have created the tools, the platform and the strategies that will ensure that we eventually become cancer-free,” he said.

Dr Lewis Roberts of Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Centre called for increased attention to liver, pancreatic and biliary tract cancers across Africa.

“Liver cancer is one of the major causes of cancer deaths in Africa. Across the continent, it’s the number three cause of death from cancer,” Roberts said.

He advocated stronger screening programmes, improved identification and treatment of viral hepatitis cases and wider vaccination coverage to reduce the incidence of liver cancer.

The Federal Government’s broader cancer strategy also places emphasis on research, cancer surveillance, data collection, digital health and the development of a specialised workforce capable of providing modern oncology services.

The NCCP 2026–2030 is designed to bring together federal and state governments, healthcare professionals, researchers, patients, survivors, civil society organisations, development partners and international institutions in a coordinated national response to cancer.

The government’s planned procurement of 25 additional linear accelerators, construction of six Cancer Centres of Excellence, expansion of screening programmes and strengthening of pathology and research facilities are therefore part of a wider attempt to improve Nigeria’s cancer-care system.

However, stakeholders say sustained funding, reliable infrastructure, adequate staffing and affordable access to treatment will remain essential if the new investments are to translate into better outcomes for people living with cancer.

The meeting reviewed progress under the National Cancer Control Plan and examined further strategies for strengthening coordinated action on cancer prevention, early detection, diagnosis, treatment, research and survivorship care across Nigeria.

Tinubu approves 25 new cancer treatment machines, FG begins wider cancer-care expansion

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