By now, many people are aware that the weedkiller Roundup has been linked with cancer. Bbut what type of cancer is linked to Roundup, and can Monsanto be held accountable?

What is Roundup?

Roundup has been used all across the United States for decades, in large-scale agriculture and home gardens alike.

Roundup is a popular herbicide (weedkiller) manufactured by Monsanto. In 2018, Monsanto was purchased in a major deal by Bayer, in which the pharmaceutical and life sciences company also acquired the slew of lawsuits that had already been filed against Monsanto over Roundup, and the ingredient glyphosate.

The active ingredient in Roundup is glyphosate.  Despite Roundup’s widespread use, glyphosate has actually been banned in more than two dozen countries, including in certain areas in the U.S. Indeed, Los Angeles County recently announced that it would suspend glyphosate use on county property until the health effects of the chemical are better known.

Can Roundup Cause Cancer?

While Bayer maintains that the weedkiller, including its glyphosate base, is not carcinogenic (that is, capable of causing cancer), based on an “extensive body of research,” a growing number of studies are pointing to a link between the weedkiller and cancer, and several major health organizations consider glyphosate to be carcinogenic. Indeed, the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) lists glyphosate as a “probable human carcinogen.” The state of California added glyphosate to its list of carcinogenic chemicals in 2017 as well.

However, the Environmental Protection Agency considers glyphosate “not likely” to be a human carcinogen.

What Type of Cancer Is Linked to Roundup?

So what type of cancer is linked to Roundup? For those exposed to Roundup, it’s important to be aware of what types of cancer have been connected with the popular weedkiller, in part because many years may pass between exposure to Roundup and a cancer diagnosis, making it harder to make the connection between the two.

A recent review from scientists at the University of Washington found that agricultural workers exposed to a lot of glyphosate during their course of work had a 41 percent increased risk of being diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma than those who use glyphosate either infrequently or never.

What Is Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma?

Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is a cancer of the lymphatic system, with tumors forming from lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell.

Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is the most common general lymphoma type, though there are subtypes of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, including diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and follicular lymphoma.

How Much Glyphosate Are We Exposed To?

Because food and water are not regularly tested for glyphosate, no one truly knows how much of the chemical is in everything we consume. A few years ago, scientists conducted a study and found evidence of glyphosate in the urine of 93 percent of Americans tested.

Are Any New Studies Being Conducted on Roundup or the Active Ingredient Glyphosate?

Yes. Cynthia Curl, environmental health scientist at Boise State University in Idaho, conducts studies on glyphosate. She’s working on a comparison of pregnant women who live in farm-based rural areas to those who do not. She plans to have them begin organic diets to see if she can calculate how much glyphosate enters the body through food.

What Evidence Allegedly Shows a Link Between Roundup and Cancer?

According to an article at PBS.org, humans were thought to be immune to any negative effects from Roundup because glyphosate works by inhibiting an enzyme that only plants produce.

Over the years, various human health agencies have disagreed over the risks humans (and wildlife) face from glyphosate-based herbicides. According to PBS, two out of every 100 U.S. residents will develop non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, but for people who use glyphosate-based herbicides more than the average person, the rate is 2.8 out of 100.

“The data is really starting to suggest that there is a correlation between high glyphosate exposure and non-Hodgkin lymphoma,” Curl told PBS. “But we have a lot of unanswered questions about the rest of us. We don’t know what that means for people who don’t have high exposures, and we don’t know what it means with a chemical that is so widely used.”

Can I File a Roundup Cancer Lawsuit?

If you or someone you love have been exposed to Roundup and have since been diagnosed with cancer, you may be able to file a lawsuit and pursue compensation. Plaintiffs in the U.S. and Canada have filed lawsuits claiming the weedkiller caused their cancer.

Of course, filing a lawsuit cannot undo the pain and suffering caused by Roundup cancer, nor can it bring a loved one back to life, but it can at least help to alleviate the financial burden incurred by medical expenses, lost wages, and more.

Filing a lawsuit can be a daunting prospect, especially after a cancer diagnosis, so Top Class Actions has laid the groundwork for you by connecting you with an experienced lawyer. Consulting a lawyer can help you determine if you have a claim, navigate the complexities of litigation, and maximize your potential compensation.