Scientists find new way to examine the cancer risk is through toenails. Unknown elements collected in the toenails like nickel could provide clues about cancer risk.
Some elements such as nickel and selenium are high in the body can reduce the risk of pancreatic cancer types are most common. While the levels of lead, arsenic and cadmium are high will increase the risk.
In this study researchers looked at levels of 12 elements from 118 patients with pancreatic cancer and compared with 400 cancer-free patients. Apparently there are major differences in the levels of these elements between cancer and healthy groups.
The results of the analysis:
1. Patients with high levels of arsenic and cadmium levels in nails from 2 to 3.5 times higher have a greater risk of pancreatic cancer than those whose levels are low.
2. People with lead levels 6-fold higher allows to have pancreatic cancer.
3. People with high levels of nickel and selenium which is between 33-95 percent more likely to less likely to develop cancer.
These findings also take into account other risk factors such as diabetes, overweight and smoking.
Smoking is estimated to cause about a third of cases of pancreatic cancer. This is because tobacco contains metal elements including cadmium which is a cancer causing agent and has been associated with increased risk of lung, kidney and prostate cancer.
"Our results support an increased risk of pancreatic cancer associated with high levels of cadmium, arsenic and lead," said the researcher, as quoted from Mirror.co.uk, Tuesday (12/20/2011).
Nails, especially toenails regarded as a reliable indicator to determine the number of elements in the body than by examining the pattern of eating, because toenails can capture elements of the food consumed and environmental exposure.
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