Aussie Study Adds Higher Cancer Risk to Dangers of Heroin

Brace yourself for a news flash. Drug abuse is potentially hazardous to your health. In fact, dangerous drugs like heroin can kill you.


OK, we knew that.

However, a team of Australian scientists have statistically linked the use of opiates, such as heroin, to increased cancer mortality. The findings were published in the June issue of the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health.

Apparently, heroin addicts and other opiate users face higher risks of cancer death than the population at large.

"Death from cancer is becoming increasingly elevated among this group particularly because of their high exposure to hepatitis B and C, and heavy alcohol and tobacco use," explained Burnet Institute professor Louisa Degenhardt, who co-authored the study.

The heroin/cancer study was conducted at the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre in Sydney, Australia, focusing on drug addicts participating in methadone treatment from 1985 to 2006. In particular, the results showed significantly increased deaths from anogenital, liver and lung cancers in opiate addicts.

The most commonly abused opiates include codeine, fentanyl, heroin, hydrocodone, morphine, opium, oxycodone, oxymorphone, vicodin and more.


Here's a shot in the dark, though.

Curiously, breast cancer deaths dropped slightly in the study group, compared to the general population. Maybe it's a fluke, but the researchers didn't seem to want to touch this one.


Why would drug abusers be more susceptible to dying of cancer?

The Aussie researchers have proposed several possibilities. First, opiate abusers are often prone to hepatitis infections. They may engage in risky behaviors that can make individuals more prone to cancer.

Also, because narcotics addicts may not to seek early diagnosis and treatment, their chances of surviving cancer may reduced, as compared to other individuals. The study did not mention diet, fitness, environment or other potential influences.

As drug abusers live longer, through improved health care and treatment options, their chances of eventually having cancer may increase as well.


Opiates are often used legitimately with end-stage cancer cases.

Physicians frequently prescribe morphine (an opiate) to ease the pain of cancer patients in the final stages of the disease. At that point, however, addiction is generally not their primary concern.


What do these findings, linking drug abuse and cancer, herald for the rest of us?

Could this be one more arrow in the proverbial quiver of parents, educators and health professionals promoting drug-free living? We can only wonder how such findings may impact health care coverage, treatment options and social services funding.

At the very least, the opiate/cancer link study down under points out another solid reason to stick to drug-free living. If the needle doesn't prove deadly, another potential threat seems to loom for those hooked on hard drugs.

We may yet not be scientifically ready to cure cancer, but drug abuse treatment and prevention certainly offer steps in the right direction for many.



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