Abstract
In September 2020, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) announced that opium consumption causes cancer in humans - a conclusion drawn after reviewing data from five decades of research. Given the widespread use of opium and its derivatives by millions of people across the world, the classification of opium consumption as a "Group 1" carcinogen has important public health ramifications. In this mini-review, we offer a short history of opium use in humans and briefly review the body of research that led to the classification of opium consumption as carcinogenic. We also discuss possible mechanisms of opium's carcinogenicity and potential avenues for future research.
Highlights
In September 2020, a Working Group of international experts convened by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) concluded that opium consumption is carcinogenic to humans
Opium consumption joins the rank of tobacco smoking, alcohol consumption, aflatoxin exposure, and other agents classified as Group 1 Carcinogens
We offer a short history of opium use and will succinctly review the body of research that convinced the IARC Working Group of opium’s carcinogenicity
Summary
Introduction In September 2020, a Working Group of international experts convened by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) concluded that opium consumption is carcinogenic to humans.
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