Paracetamol Overuse Can Cause Blood Cancer

Although touted as the safest pain medication, paracetamol is not no risk at all. According to research, taking paracetamol for more than 4 times a week for 4 years could increase the risk of blood cancer.

This type of blood cancer that is triggered by excessive use of paracetamol was lymphoma or myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). This type of cancer, including a rare type of cancer, making treatment more difficult because of limited research.

Paracetamol relationship with blood cancer revealed in a study at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, USA. The study was conducted on 65,000 adults aged over 50 years who were observed for 6 years.

Of all participants, 577 people or about 1 percent of blood cancers as observed at the end of the study period. When compared with the habit of taking medication, this group was more often consume paracetamol compared to other groups.

In the group affected by blood cancer, 9 percent taking paracetamol at least 4 times a week. While the group of healthy participants, paracetamol consumption was relatively uncommon and only 5 percent who drink up to 4 times a week.

"These results show, drink paracetamol at least 4 times a week for 4 consecutive years could increase the risk of cancer of the blood between 1-2 percent," said one researcher, Dr. Dr. Emily White, as quoted from the Telegraph.

Besides increasing the risk of blood cancer, paracetamol is also known to trigger damage to the metabolic system if consumed in excess. Organs are often susceptible to interference due to an overdose of this drug include liver and kidney.