Few important findings from our new study in @eClinicalMed, https://t.co/6AzCtq7ZpP In this thread: (1/7) Increased #cancer risk was restricted to cancer sites previously linked to #opium consumption (#lung, #larynx, #bladder, #pancreas, #esophagus), and not other sites.

#LungCancerAwarenessMonth IARC scientists research the causes of #LungCancer, early detection, & factors affecting survival. In this📺, Dr @mahdi_iarc Sheikh describes his work on how quitting smoking improves outcomes, even for patients already diagnosed. https://t.co/ZpnbNRq6bS

(7/7) Grateful to the @Institut_cancer & @theNCI for the funding. Huge thanks to all collaborators. Particular thanks to @Lyonpaul @hilaryarobbins for supporting this research from beginning, & to @mendel_random for valuable input & being an inspiring role model in science.

(6/7) Cancer risk was mostly null among regular users of paracetamol and NSAIDs (negative control exposure), also was mostly null for non-opium-related cancers (negative control outcomes).

(5/7) Increased cancer risk was observed across all subgroups of regular opioid users, including people who never smoked #cigarettes, and across sex, socioeconomic status, BMI, chronic health conditions, and more.

(4/7) Cancer risk increased with opioid strength. Regular use of #strongopioids was linked to nearly a 2-fold higher cancer risk vs. non-use. Models were extensively adjusted for confounders and related cancer risk factors.

(3/7) #Triangulation of evidence by analyzing #epi data from 500K participants of @uk_biobank with a decade of follow-up & using #Mendelian_Randomization #MR approach showed consistent results.

(2/7) Opium consumption was classified as carcinogenic to humans by the IARC Monographs: https://t.co/ruG9rFsW3E #Pharmaceutical #opioids are derived from opium or synthesized to mimic its structure and properties.

🆕 @IARCWHO-led study shows regular pharmaceutical #opioid use may raise risks for opium-related cancers; stronger, longer-acting opioids linked to higher risk. Authors @mahdi_iarc et al urge for more research to clarify clinical relevance #opioidcrisis 🔗 https://t.co/1q8BPNAhVH

Aggressive marketing of e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches is fueling a new wave of addiction among young people. This is not harm reduction – it’s profit-driven tactics by companies seeking to keep our kids addicted to nicotine. @WHO has released a new position paper on tobacco

Large study by IARC’s Dr Mahdi Sheikh & colleagues with @uk_biobank data finds regular use of pharmaceutical opioids also associated with↗️risk of #cancers previously linked to #opium consumption Study in @eClinicalMed More info https://t.co/nbOqNtc4hp Q&A https://t.co/OXkKj7ruzT

#Smoking isn’t just cause of #LungCancer, it is a #prognostic factor. Our analysis of @IASLC staging data, @JTOonline led by @Lawson_Eng: 👉#Survival of smokers = survival of never-smokers with one stage higher disease 👉Smoking outweighs some TNM factors https://t.co/ZYdXyTzrzy

When #politics divide us, #science brings us together عندما تفرّقنا السياسة، يوحّدنا العلم 当政治让我们分离时，科学让我们团结。 जब राजनीति हमें बाँटती है, तब विज्ञान हमें जोड़ता है। Quand la politique nous divise, la science nous rassemble سیاست جدا می‌کند، اما علم پیوند می‌دهد

📷 "Triangulation: moving from correlations to causes", Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine Distinguished Lecture 2025, Thursday, October 16th, 5pm, in person or online

(4/4) Deep thanks to @IARCWHO, @IASLC, @InstitutCancer, @LungPolicyNet @oncodaily for supporting these efforts.

(3/4) In the past few months, I’ve been traveling across 🇫🇷 🇮🇶 🇬🇷 🇬🇧 🇪🇸 to spread this message and work with scientists & stakeholders to push these efforts forward at country level.

(2/4) #LungCancer screening = a golden opportunity. We must integrate smoking #cessation into screening programs to maximize impact on survival.

(1/4) 👉 #Tobacco kills ~8 million people every year. 👉 🚬 causes at least 20 #cancer types, and 80% of #LungCancer deaths are due to tobacco use. 👉 #QuittingSmoking saves lives! Even after a cancer diagnosis, smoking cessation improves #survival & treatment success. #wclc2025

Smoking may weigh more heavily than certain anatomical descriptors in #lungcancer staging. At #WCLC25, researchers explored the impact of #smoking status using the 9th edition TNM. Read more: https://t.co/WgjFnrejMt #LungCancer #Oncology

Thanks #WCLC2025 for letting me share findings from large collaboration between Manchester @LungCheck and Leeds @LungHealthCheck about upper age limit for #lungcancer #screening. Particularly interesting that ≥75s who get to surgery do as well as 55-74yr olds. Age is a number!