Paracetamol Linked to Blood Cancer

A new research conducted at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle has hinted that Paracetamol is linked to increased risk of blood cancer. Otherwise known as acetaminophen, this powerful painkiller is also known as Tylenol in the United States of America.

Researchers though are of the opinion that the fact that increased Paracetamol use actually causes blood cancer, is yet to be conclusively proven. The research used more than 65000 older men and women from the Washington area as its sample. After following their lives for an average of 6 years it was discovered that 1 % from the entire group had developed cancer. Out of this 1% or 577 people, 9% had used high dosages of Paracetamol in their lives.

Paracetamol has earlier been linked to diseases such as eczema and asthma. However, even there its real effect on blood related cancer has not been clearly established. Experts are of the opinion that because Paracetamol has a different way of working than other painkillers, its effect on blood cells in the body will be very different.