Did You Know That Opium Use Is a Risk Factor for Cancer?

Evidence is emerging that opium may be linked to several cancers.

In an observational cohort study involving more than 50,000 patients, regular opium use was shown to increase the risk of cancer, particularly bladder (2.9 times), laryngeal (2.5 times), and lung (2.2 times) cancer. Based on these and other data, the International Agency for Research on Cancer now considers opium carcinogenic (cancer-causing) to humans.

What Is Opium?

Opium, or opium gum, is a narcotic substance obtained by collecting the milk-like sap that seeps out when the capsules of the opium poppy plant are scored.

Poppy capsules are scored at the appropriate stage of maturity; the fluid seeping from the cuts coagulates and is collected with special knives. Exposure to air turns the fluid dark brown.

This substance is called opium or opium gum. Opium is used to make narcotic painkillers / drugs such as morphine and codeine. It has toxic properties and is also addictive.

This drug is used by swallowing, chewing, or smoking. It provides short-lived pleasure. It relieves pain and, by producing mental dullness, makes everyday troubles fade. After this pleasurable phase, however, weakness, nausea, and headache develop. Taking excessive amounts may put a person into a coma or cause death.

Opium production is prohibited under UN and Republic of Turkey laws. Production of its primary crop, the poppy, is under state control.

The Study Showing That Opium Is Carcinogenic

Evidence is emerging about the role of opiates in various cancers. This study investigated the relationship between regular opium use and cancer incidence.

This study was conducted in a population-based cohort of 50,045 people aged 40-75 in northeastern Iran. Data on participants' demographics, diet, lifestyle, opium use, and different exposures were collected at enrollment using validated questionnaires. Hazard ratios for the association between opium use and different cancer types were calculated.

Results

• During an average follow-up of 10 years, 1833 participants were diagnosed with cancer.
• Opium use increased the risk of all cancers by 1.4 (HR 1.40, 95% CI 1.24 - 1.58)
• An increased risk of gastrointestinal cancers (1.3 times) and respiratory tract cancers (2.3 times) was found.
• For site-specific cancers, opium use was associated with
  • esophageal (1.4 times),
  • stomach (1.4 times),
  • lung (2.2 times),
  • bladder (2.9 times),
  • laryngeal (2.5 times), and
  • pancreatic (2.7 times) cancer.
• Ingesting opium (but not smoking it) was associated with brain (2.2 times) and liver (2.2 times) cancers in a dose-dependent manner.

In conclusion, opium users have a significantly higher risk of developing cancer in different organs of the respiratory, digestive, and urinary systems, as well as brain cancer. The results of this analysis suggest that regular use of opium and opium-like narcotics may increase the risk of a range of cancers.