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Common sweetener in fizzy drinks and yoghurt ‘can kill off the deadliest cancer'

Common sweetener in fizzy drinks and yoghurt ‘can kill off the deadliest cancer'

Scottish Sun5 days ago
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A COMMON sugar substitute used in fizzy drinks, yoghurts and gum could be used to combat one of the deadliest kinds of cancer.
Researchers fermented the zero calorie sweetener and tested it against pancreatic cancer - finding that it killed off malignant cells but didn't harm healthy ones.
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Stevia extract could be used to help fight pancreatic cancer, researchers suggested
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They tested fermented extracts against pancreatic cancer cells in a lab dish
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Stevia is a shrub-like herb used to sweeten drinks and desserts instead of sugar, which can also be bought as powder or tablets.
Previous research has suggested that stevia leaf extracts could have potential "anticancer effects".
But isolating specific substances within the herb that could help protect against cancer and using them has remained challenging.
Researchers from Hiroshima University suggested fermenting stevia with bacteria can structurally change the extract and produce bioactive metabolites - compounds that can impact living organisms.
Study author Masanori Sugiyama, a professor in the Department of Probiotic Science for Preventive Medicine, said fermentation - or "microbial bio-transformation" - could "enhance the pharmacological efficacy of natural plant extracts" like stevia.
The team tested their theory out against pancreatic cancer cells.
"Pancreatic cancer is a highly malignant tumour of the digestive system with a poor prognosis," co-author Prof Narandalai Danshiitsoodol said.
"Globally, the incidence and mortality rates of pancreatic cancer continue to rise, with a five-year survival rate of less than 10 per cent.
"The primary reason pancreatic cancer is considered one of the deadliest cancers is its subtle, insidious onset, with most patients being diagnosed at an advanced stage and missing the optimal treatment window.
"Furthermore, pancreatic cancer is highly invasive and prone to metastasis, showing significant resistance to existing treatments such as surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, resulting in very limited therapeutic efficacy.
The most common symptoms of pancreatic cancer - as patients share their stories
"Therefore, there is an urgent need to identify new and effective anticancer compounds, particularly those derived from medicinal plants."
Researchers used lactic acid bacteria to ferment stevia extracts.
They isolated over 1200 strains from fruits, vegetables, flowers, and medicinal plants and evaluated their health benefits.
They finally landed on Lactobacillus plantarum SN13T strain (FSLE) derived from banana leaves "to enhance the antioxidant and anticancer activities of stevia leaf extract through fermentation".
They tested fermented and non-fermented stevia extracts against pancreatic cancer cells in lab dishes.
Fermented stevia killed pancreatic cancer cells more efficiently than the non-fermented extract, the study published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences found.
This suggested that "the fermentation process enhances the bioactivity of the [stevia] extract", Prof Sugiyama said.
Researchers tested out different fermentation levels to see which was most effective against cancer cells.
Symptoms of pancreatic cancer
PANCREATIC cancer doesn't always cause symptoms in its early stages.
As the cancer grows and you do begin to show signs, these may come and go and be unspecific, making it hard to diagnose, according to Pancreatic Cancer UK.
Common symptoms include: Indigestion - a painful, burning feeling in your chest with an unpleasant taste in your mouth
Tummy or back pain - it may start as general discomfort or tenderness in the tummy area and spread to the back, which get worse lying down and feel better is you sit forward
Diarrhoea and constipation - see a GP if you have runny poos for more than seven days, especially if you've lost weight as well
Steatorrhoea - pale, oily poo that's bulky, smells horrible and floats, making it hard to flush
Losing a lot of weight without meaning to
Jaundice - yellow skin and eyes, as well as dark pee, pale poo and itchy skin
Lower concentrations didn't kill cancer cells immediately, but they slowed their growth.
Healthy kidney cells were mostly unaffected by the stevia extracts.
Researchers plan to study how fermented stevia affects cancer in mice next, to see how various dosages will work in living organisms.
'The present study has substantially enhanced our understanding of the mechanism of action of the Lactobacillus plantarum SN13T strain in the fermentation of herbal extracts, while also offering a valuable research perspective on the potential application of probiotics as natural anti-tumour agents,' Prof Danshiitsoodol said.
In the UK, about 10,800 people are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer each year and 9,600 pass away from it, according to Cancer Research UK.
It's the fifth most common cause of cancer death.
Since the early 1990s, pancreatic cancer incidence rates have increased by 18 per cent in the UK.
The disease is often diagnosed at a late stage because it frequently lacks noticeable symptoms in the early stages.
Surgery, chemotherapy and radiation can help extend patients' lives.
A blood test to pick up early signs of pancreatic cancer is being trialled in patients with a recent diagnosis of type 2 diabetes - a known risk factor for the disease.
Meanwhile, researchers at Case Western Reserve University and Cleveland Clinic have developed a new type of jab to fight pancreatic cancer.
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Stunning space snap hides rare ‘one-in-a-thousand' secret – and it may be the first time it has ever been seen by humans
Stunning space snap hides rare ‘one-in-a-thousand' secret – and it may be the first time it has ever been seen by humans

Scottish Sun

time6 minutes ago

  • Scottish Sun

Stunning space snap hides rare ‘one-in-a-thousand' secret – and it may be the first time it has ever been seen by humans

The phenomenon could help prove a popular theory IN THE STARS Stunning space snap hides rare 'one-in-a-thousand' secret – and it may be the first time it has ever been seen by humans Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A STUNNING photo has captured a rare secret among the stars - and it could be the first time the phenomenon has ever been seen. Astronomers believe they have photographed the first ever birth of a supermassive black hole. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up While experts have gained an understanding of what these supersized giants are, they previously didn't know how they were created. A supermassive black hole weighs millions, to tens of billions, of Suns, and form the centre of almost every galaxy. It forms the gravitational centre for everything else - including stars and planets - to revolve around. However, scientists now believe they have seen a supermassive black hole being formed for the first time ever. 1 Three supermassive black holes can be seen in a newfound discovery Credit: NASA This could provide valuable insight into the space wonder. The process was captured in a pair of galaxies whose light has travelled for 8.3 million years according to Science Alert. The discovery was made by a Yale-led astronomy team, in a galaxy they've called "Infinity". Its name comes from its figure-eight shape, as three supermassive black holes can be seen as the galaxies collide. Within each galaxy a supermassive black hole can be seen at its nucleus, with a third glowing at their overlap. The team used a James Webb Space Telescope to observe the two recently-collided galaxies. CLOSE CALL 'It was a sign' - Clare girl, 10, spots surprise comet that 'shines brighter than Venus' Within the cloud of gas at its centre, they identified a supermassive black hole. Unusually, the black hole was not located at the nucleus of the vast galaxy, but rather in the middle of where they were colliding. This gave them an indication that they might be witnessing an unprecedented event. Yale astonomer Pieter van Dokkum said: "We think we're witnessing the birth of a supermassive black hole - something that has never been seen before." There are currently a number of theories regarding the formation of black holes. This includes the "light seeds" theory, in which small black holes are believed to have been formed when stars' cores collapsed and exploded. These smaller black holes are believed to have then merged into the supermassive versions. However, this theory has been somewhat debunked by research that found supermassive black holes that were born too early for this long-term merging to have taken place. Instead, the "heavy seeds" theory has been favoured by some astronomers. This argues that larger black holes can form when large clouds of gas collapse, although typically this is known to form stars. The Infinity galaxy could support the "heavy seeds" theory by showing how, in extreme conditions, a gas collapse could create a black hole. The team is pursuing ongoing research to confirm the findings.

Does the Pill harm fertility and do spicy foods actually induce labour? Expert busts 13 myths you probably believe
Does the Pill harm fertility and do spicy foods actually induce labour? Expert busts 13 myths you probably believe

Scottish Sun

time3 hours ago

  • Scottish Sun

Does the Pill harm fertility and do spicy foods actually induce labour? Expert busts 13 myths you probably believe

Including a common hair dye misconception and how long you should really wait to have sex after childbirth MAYBE BABY? Does the Pill harm fertility and do spicy foods actually induce labour? Expert busts 13 myths you probably believe Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) MOST of us know not to believe everything we read on the internet. But somehow, many old wives' tales manage to stick. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 6 Many of us believe pregnancy and fertility myths Credit: Getty 6 NCT expert Katherine Walker separates fact from fiction Credit: Katherine Walker/National Childbirth Trust This is especially true when it comes to fertility and pregnancy. It's naturally an exciting but worrying time, and parents-to-be are often desperate to do everything 'right'. But should you really eat a spicy curry to induce labour? And will sleeping on your back while pregnant actually harm your baby? Here, Katherine Walker, service development manager and practitioner at the National Childbirth Trust, separates fact from fiction. 1. The pill harms your fertility - FALSE NO matter which one you use or how long you've been taking it, contraceptive pills do not harm fertility. It can take several months for your periods to return to normal, but there is no long-term impact. In fact, research by Wolkite University found 83 per cent of women get pregnant within 12 months of coming off the pill. Katherine tells Sun Health: 'The pill is an effective contraceptive if used correctly. It does not cause infertility.' 2. Pregnant women should avoid all fish - FALSE BRIE, salami, pâté and certain mushrooms - the list of foods to avoid while pregnant can seem endless. But there are still plenty of options, including fish. Dancing on Ice star shocked as she discovers bizarre reason for her 'unexplained infertility' Many women assume they need to cut all seafood from their diet once they realise they're expecting, however that's not true. 'It is actually recommended that pregnant women eat two portions of fish a week, including oily fish such as salmon, sardines or mackerel,' Katherine says. Cooked shellfish, such as mussels, lobster, crab, prawns, scallops and clams are also fine. However, certain fish should be avoided. 'This includes shark, swordfish and marlin due to concentrations of mercury,' Katherine says. 'Cold-smoked or cured fish such as smoked salmon or gravlax, including sushi, should also be avoided unless it has been cooked until steaming hot because of the risk of bacteria or parasites.' 3. Sleeping on your back can harm your baby - TRUE WE all have our preferred sleeping positions. But where possible, mums-to-be should avoid sleeping on their backs. Katherine says: 'From 28 weeks onwards, the safer position to go to sleep in is on your side. 'Sleeping on your back after this time slightly elevates the chance of a stillbirth.' Scientists at Auckland University found the weight of the uterus when back-sleeping could restrict blood flow to the baby and 'add extra stress'. While unlikely, it is possible to become pregnant if you have sex during your period Katherine Walker Separate research by the University of Huddersfield estimated that going to sleep lying on your back from 28 weeks increased the risk of stillbirth by 2.6 times. And a study published in the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology warned expectant mums who lie on their back rather than their side during their third trimester were three times more likely to have a baby with a low birth weight. 'Pillows can help support you to get comfortable side sleeping,' Katherine says. 'If you have a night waking and find yourself on your back, just return to a side-lying position.' 6 Taking the contraceptive pill does not harm your fertility Credit: Getty 4. Stress causes infertility - FALSE 'STRESS causes an increase in hormones like cortisol and adrenaline, which may in turn affect the hormones related to fertility,' Katherine says. 'However, plenty of people still become pregnant during stressful times, and it is unlikely to be stress alone causing fertility problems.' Feeling stressed can also impact your sex drive, perhaps reducing your chances of conception. But again, stress isn't directly impacting your physiology - rather your behaviour. 5. You can't dye your hair during pregnancy - FALSE DESPITE most research showing it is safe to do so, content regularly appears online warning women not to dye their hair during pregnancy. 'Although the chemicals in permanent and semi-permanent hair dyes may cause harm, this is only in very high doses,' the NHS says. 'When you use hair dye, you are only exposed to very low amounts.' Katherine adds: 'It is possible that these could be absorbed via the skin on your hands or head, or breathed in, but this would be at a very low level. 'Risks can be minimised by using gloves or only having highlights as these don't touch the scalp, as well as being in a well-ventilated room.' 6 Despite popular belief, you can dye your hair while pregnant Credit: Getty 6. You can get pregnant on your period - TRUE MOST women have periods around every 28 days. 'The most fertile time of the menstrual cycle is during ovulation, which usually occurs around 14 days after the start of the last period,' Katherine says. This is when an egg is released from the ovaries. And it can be fertilised when it meets a man's sperm. Theoretically, there is only a short window when you can fall pregnant, and it's around this time. However, it's difficult to pinpoint exactly when this happens, and it varies between people. Fertility facts you probably didn't know Around one in seven couples may have difficulty conceiving About 30 per cent of fertility problems are due to a man, 30 per cent due to a woman, and 30 to 40 per cent to both or unknown causes More than eight out of 10 couples, where the woman is under 40, will conceive naturally within a year if they have regular unprotected sex (every two or three days) For couples who have been trying to conceive for more than three years without success, the likelihood of getting pregnant naturally within the next year is one in four, or less A woman's caffeine intake can impact how long it takes to get pregnant A man's weight can affect a couple's ability to have a baby A 30-year-old woman with a normal reproductive system has about a 20 per cent chance of conceiving in any given month. This drops to five per cent over the age of 40 A woman is born with all the eggs she will ever have Freezing eggs before the age of 30 will probably provide the highest number of healthy eggs Around 52,500 patients had IVF and 3,000 had donor insemination (DI) treatment at licensed centres in the UK in 2022 The average age of first-time IVF patients is just over 35 One cycle of IVF can take three to six weeks Between 1991 and 2021, there were more than 390,000 births as a result of fertility treatment More than 70,000 donor-conceived children were born between 1991 and 2020 Source: NHS, British Fertility Society, Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority Sperm can also survive in the fallopian tubes for up to seven days after sex. 'Menstrual cycles vary in length, so some people ovulate earlier in their cycle, and some women experience a period which lasts for several days,' Katherine says. 'Sperm can live in the woman or birthing person's body after ejaculation for several days after sex, so conception is possible over a window of around a week and doesn't necessarily happen on the day of sex but can happen a few days later. 'While unlikely, it is possible to become pregnant if you have sex during your period.' 7. Pregnant women should always eat for two people - FALSE YOU often hear expectant mums talking about 'eating for two'. While the body is working hard and many women will feel hungrier than normal, you don't need to double all your portions or force yourself to eat. 'Pregnant women do not need to eat for two people, but having a healthy, balanced diet with a wide variety of food is important,' Katherine says. 'Those in early pregnancy should also consider taking a vitamin D and folic acid supplement to help reduce the risk of the baby having a neural tube defect, such as spina bifida. 'To support the baby's growth during the final three months of pregnancy, most people may need an extra 200 calories a day.' 6 Unfortunately, spicy food does not induce labour Credit: Getty Images - Getty 8. Eating spicy foods induces labour - FALSE JENNIFER Aniston tries it while playing a significantly overdue Rachel Green in Friends. 'But no, spicy food does not induce labour,' Katherine says. 'It used to be a bit of an urban myth that perhaps this would stimulate the cervix, but there is no evidence that this is the case. 'It can also cause diarrhoea which irritates the intestines.' 9. You can't have sex for a long time after you give birth - FALSE DESPITE popular belief, there is no required waiting period before you can have sex after childbirth. However, waiting until after your six-week postnatal checkup - and when you feel physically and emotionally ready - is a good starting point. 'It is up to the people involved when to have sex again after birth,' Katherine says. 'Most women will feel sore and need time to recover from the birth, however, there are other ways to remain intimate during this time. 'You can become pregnant again just three weeks after giving birth, so people might want to consider which contraception to use.' How to increase your chances of getting pregnant Have sex every two to three days without using contraception, making sure sperm enters the vagina Try to have sex around the time you are ovulating – this is usually 12 to 16 days before your period starts Maintain a healthy weight Stop drinking alcohol Do not smoke Take folic acid every day Eat a healthy diet Stay physically active Stop using any illegal substances Cut down on caffeine if you drink a lot Source: NHS 10. Pregnancy will make you gain weight - TRUE IT is normal and expected to gain weight during pregnancy. 'Everyone is different, but most people will gain 22 to 28lbs (10 to 12.5kg) over the course of the pregnancy – mainly from 20 weeks onwards,' Katherine says. 'As well as the baby, this is extra fat to help breastmilk production, a larger uterus, the placenta, and the increased blood volume needed to keep everything healthy.' Putting on too much or too little weight can lead to health problems for you or your unborn baby. If you're concerned about your weight or any other aspect of your health while pregnant, ask your midwife or GP for advice. 11. You will have pregnancy complications if you have a baby over 35 - FALSE ALTHOUGH no longer officially used by the NHS, many people still refer to any pregnancy over the age of 35 as 'geriatric'. It is therefore easy to assume that fertility falls off a cliff past this point, and if you do fall pregnant, you're likely to experience complications. But that's not necessarily true, Katherine says. While they can produce sperm throughout their lives, once men are 40 or older, the quantity and quality of sperm tends to decrease Katherine Walker 'Some complications may be more likely over the age of 35 but this doesn't mean they will definitely occur,' she adds. Conditions associated with a higher maternal age include chronic hypertension (high blood pressure that exists within the first 20 weeks), gestational diabetes (high blood sugar that develops during pregnancy) and placenta praevia (where the placenta blocks the cervix). But these are not a given. 'Every pregnancy is unique, and your midwife or healthcare provider will be able to talk to you about your circumstances,' Katherine says. 12. Age only affects women's fertility - FALSE WOMEN often talk about their 'female biological clock' - the decline in fertility as they age. And it's true that women have a finite number of eggs which slowly diminishes over time. But getting older also affects men's fertility. 'While they can produce sperm throughout their lives, once men are 40 or older, the quantity and quality of sperm tends to decrease,' Katherine says. A study by the University of Bristol found that conception is 30 per cent less likely for men older than 40 than it is for men under 30. Scientists blame declining testosterone levels, decreased blood supply to the pelvic area, shrinking or softening testicles, enlarged prostates and narrowing of the tubes that move sperm from inside the testicles. 6 Men's fertility also declines with age - though in a different way to women Credit: Getty 13. If you have a miscarriage you will struggle to get pregnant again - FALSE ONE in eight known pregnancies will end in miscarriage (loss during the first 23 weeks), NHS figures show. This can have a profound emotional impact on you, your partner, and your friends and family. It's natural to want to know why a miscarriage happened, but many are thought to be one-off problems with the development of the foetus. And it's reassuring to know that most people who experience a miscarriage go on to have successful pregnancies. Katherine says: 'For most people this is a one-off event, and they will go on to have a healthy pregnancy if they decide to try again.' Losing three or more pregnancies in a row (recurrent miscarriages) is uncommon and only affects around one in 100 women. 'Anyone who has experienced three or more miscarriages should be offered tests to try to find out why this has happened,' Katherine adds.

Cancer devastated me – but I started shaking when I realised my 20-year-old TATTOO could be to blame
Cancer devastated me – but I started shaking when I realised my 20-year-old TATTOO could be to blame

Scottish Sun

time3 hours ago

  • Scottish Sun

Cancer devastated me – but I started shaking when I realised my 20-year-old TATTOO could be to blame

Melanie got four tattoos between 2005 and 2016. After discovering research to suggest that body art can increase your risk of cancer by 170 per cent, she now wonders: "Have I done this to myself?" INK FEARS Cancer devastated me – but I started shaking when I realised my 20-year-old TATTOO could be to blame Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THE row of hearts tattooed around Melanie Rushforth's left arm symbolises her love for her family. Her mum Margaret, whose middle name was Rose, is remembered by a flower on her right shoulder. Melanie, 58, has been getting inked for 20 years - but regrets it all, knowing what she does now. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 8 Melanie Rushforth is terrified her 20-year-old tattoo could have caused her cancer Credit: Melanie Rushforth 8 The 58-year-old was diagnosed with lymphoma - a type of blood cancer Credit: Melanie Rushforth The administrator is midway through treatment for lymphoma – a type of blood cancer. In March, a study by the University of Southern Denmark found a link between tattoos and an increased risk of developing blood cancers, including lymphoma. In fact, the increased risk could be as much as 170 per cent, something Melanie wasn't aware of during her various tatts between 2005 and 2016. It was only after being diagnosed in April that she became aware of the connection. 'In February I noticed a lump on my neck,' Melanie, who is married to Ian, 62, an HGV driver, tells Sun Health. 'At first, I didn't think much of it. But I have an underactive thyroid, so I decided to get it checked just in case. 'The doctor didn't seem too concerned. He ordered some blood tests and told me to come back in four weeks if the lump didn't go down. 'The blood tests were fine; he thought it might have been glandular fever, but that came back negative. 'By the time the four weeks were up, the lump had gone, so I didn't go back.' But two weeks later, Melanie's lump returned - much bigger and more painful than before - so she made another appointment with her GP. People with tattoos have a 21% higher risk of lymphoma blood cancer - even if they're tiny, study suggests 'I thankfully saw the same doctor, and that's when he first mentioned the possibility of cancer,' she says. 'He said it might be nothing but sent me for an ultrasound and possibly a biopsy.' The scans showed Melanie had lymphoma, a type of blood cancer that originates in the lymphatic system. 'I was diagnosed with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma – DLBCL,' she says. One of the main symptoms of Melanie's condition is swollen lymph nodes, but others include pain in the tummy, chest or bone, night sweats, a high temperature and unexplained weight loss. Melanie, who works at the University of Lincoln, says: 'It's in one spot on my neck and classified as stage one. 'Thankfully, it was caught early so I'm on a chemotherapy regimen called R-CHOP which is six sessions, one every three weeks. 'I had my third session on June 30 and treatment should finish by late August or early September, when I might switch to radiotherapy depending on how things go.' I was shaking when I came across articles linking tattoos to blood cancers. I started to wonder, 'Have I done this to myself?' Melanie Rushforth While Melanie's consultant told her not to turn to Google to check her diagnosis, it was while researching the condition she found the link between tattoos and cancer. The latest study, published in BMC Public Health, analysed the health data of 5,900 twins born between 1960 and 1996 up until 2017. Over the course of several decades, the risk of lymphoma - a type of blood cancer that affects the immune system - was found to be three times higher for those with large tatts. 'For larger tattoos – those bigger than the palm of a hand, the hazard was 140 per cent,' study author assistant professor Signe Bedsted Clemmensen said. 'We found that people with tattoos had a 60 per cent higher hazard – a measure of 'immediate risk' – of developing skin cancer compared to those without tattoos.' Prof Clemmensen says the study findings are a long time overdue. 'Our study found evidence of associations between having tattoos and development of lymphoma and skin cancer,' she says. 'While this doesn't prove causation, it highlights a potential health concern that warrants further investigation. 'It has long been known that tattoo ink doesn't just stay in the skin. It also accumulates in nearby lymph nodes.' 8 Melanie wasn't aware that studies show tattoos can increase your risk of cancer by as much as 170 per cent Credit: Melanie Rushforth 8 She got her various inkings between 2005 and 2016 Credit: Melanie Rushforth 8 'I started to wonder, 'Have I done this to myself?'' she says Credit: Melanie Rushforth She explains that this is one of the potential mechanisms that could explain why tattoos might lead to cancer. 'Firstly, there are carcinogenic properties of substances used in tattoo ink,' Prof Clemmensen says. 'Secondly, we suspect that tattoo ink as a foreign substance can cause chronic inflammation in the lymph nodes, which over time can lead to abnormal cell growth and an increased risk of cancer. 'Despite repeated calls from health authorities for research into the potential long-term health effects of tattooing, there were no scientific studies addressing this issue when we began planning our study. 'That gap in knowledge is what prompted us to take a closer look.' What are the signs of lymphoma? LYMPHOMA is a term for cancer that starts in the lymph system - a network of vessels and glands that spans your body. There are two main kinds of lymphoma – Hodgkin Lymphoma and Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma. Lymphoma can cause many different symptoms, depending on which type of lymphoma it is and where it develops in the body. The most typical signs are: Swollen lymph nodes, such as in the neck, armpit or groin area Night sweats Extreme tiredness Itching Unexplained weight loss Fever Excessive bleeding, such as nosebleeds, heavy periods and spots of blood under the skin Other signs of lymphoma in a more localised area include: Swelling of the stomach, loss of appetite and other abdominal symptoms Coughing, shortness of breath, or chest pain Dr Rachel Orritt, health information manager at Cancer Research UK, said: 'There isn't enough evidence to say that tattoos increase people's cancer risk, and more research is needed. 'This is a difficult area to study, because there are lots of different possible ingredients in tattoo ink, making it tricky to understand the effects. 'If people are concerned about their cancer risk, there are proven steps they can take to reduce it. 'These include not smoking, keeping a healthy weight, and enjoying the sun safely.' For Melanie though, the realisations that her tattoos could have caused or contributed to her condition has been incredibly difficult to deal with. She says: 'My husband and I were searching everything, and I came across a couple of articles linking tattoos to lymphoma or blood cancers. It understandably really worried me. 'I have four tattoos and I'd planned to get another this year to cover a scar on my leg. 'I was shaking when I read those articles though. I started to wonder, 'Have I done this to myself?' 'It added a whole new layer of stress.' 'Like a phoenix rising from the ashes' While Melanie's diagnosis could be entirely coincidental, Prof Clemmensen suggests the research is too hard to ignore. She says more education is needed so people can make informed choices. 'Ultimately, it's a personal decision,' she says. 'Each individual must consider whether they're comfortable with the potential health risks associated with tattooing. 'As with smoking, alcohol consumption, or highly processed foods, it's important that people have access to reliable information. 'Our role as researchers is to provide that evidence so individuals – and policymakers – can make informed decisions.' Melanie had planned to get a post-cancer tattoo, which she is now scrapping. 'It was of a phoenix rising from the ashes,' she says. 'It felt symbolic - about survival, rebirth, and strength - but I won't get anything done for the foreseeable future – not after reading the study. 'I love body art. It's a personal expression, but I won't get any more tattoos.' 8 Melanie is halfway through treatment for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma Credit: Melanie Rushforth 8 Her tattoos symbolise her love for her family Credit: Melanie Rushforth

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