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Over the past several years, RoundUp — a popular weed killer — has been in the news because of the possibility that it increases users’ cancer risk.
During a court case in California, the company that produces RoundUp maintained that the product was safe for use. Despite this, the jury ruled that RoundUp was a contributing factor in one man’s cancer case. As a result, the claimant was awarded $80 million in financial damages.
If you have been using this product around your home, you may wonder about the types of cancers that could be caused by RoundUp. Below, we will examine some of the most critical issues regarding cancer lawsuits following the use of RoundUp.
When you or someone you love has developed cancer following the use of a hazardous product, do not hesitate to explore your options. You may be able to recover significant financial compensation from the parties responsible for your or your loved one's illness.
The accomplished team at Morgan & Morgan has decades of experience representing the victims of faulty and hazardous products. For the best legal representation available, contact America’s largest personal injury firm — Morgan & Morgan.
To schedule a no-obligation, free legal consultation, fill out the simple contact form on the Morgan & Morgan website.
The Development of RoundUp
Monsanto is the agricultural manufacturer that first introduced RoundUp to the market as an herbicide. The company first sold the innovative weed killer in 1974.
Monsanto advertised RoundUp as a safe and effective way to eliminate invasive plant species. Many farmers used the product to clear away the weeds surrounding their crops.
Because RoundUp prevented the need to till their land, farmers experienced less soil erosion on their farms. The product also seemed to have the advantage of breaking down into natural components.
These benefits meant that the product could be sold as an “environmentally friendly” herbicide spray. However, recent concerns have arisen regarding possible connections between the product and types of cancers that could be caused by RoundUp.
The compound called “glyphosate” may be to blame for the connection between herbicides and cancers. This ingredient is also found in other herbicide brands.
A 2015 report from the International Agency for Research on Cancer presented evidence that glyphosate is a carcinogen. The report cited glyphosate use and cancer rates in workers with the highest levels of exposure.
Various Types of Cancers That Could Be Caused by RoundUp
Although RoundUp was first brought to market by the Monsanto corporation, Bayer now owns the product. The company is facing thousands of lawsuits across the United States alleging that the product causes users to develop cancer.
Some of the most common types of cancers that could be caused by RoundUp include:
Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
Many RoundUp users across the nation have filed lawsuits claiming that the product caused them to develop non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a type of cancer that affects the lymphatic system.
The lymphatic system is a network of nodules that aid the human body in detecting and fighting diseases. Those with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma develop tumors around the lymph nodes because of an excess of white blood cells.
These tumors create swelling in certain areas of the body.
Some of the most common symptoms of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma are:
- Swollen lymph nodes in the groin, underarm, or neck
- Pain and swelling in the abdomen
- Coughing, shortness of breath, and chest pains
- Fatigue
- Night sweats and fever
- Unexplained weight loss
If you have noticed any of these signs and symptoms, promptly seek a medical assessment. To be correctly diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, doctors may require you to undergo specific medical tests, including:
- A range of imaging tests
- Skin biopsies
- A bone marrow biopsy
Following a diagnosis, understanding whether your lymphoma began in the T cells or B cells will influence the range of treatments available to you. Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is one of the most treatable types of cancers that could be caused by RoundUp.
If you believe that an herbicide caused your non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, reach out to a knowledgeable legal expert. You may be owed significant financial damages from the negligent parties at fault.
Leukemia
Leukemia is a relatively rare type of cancer. Fewer than 200,000 new cases are reported across the United States each year.
In most instances, leukemia affects young children and teenagers. This rare type of cancer affects the blood-forming cells in the body.
In many cases, leukemia affects patients' white blood cells. However, there are several types of leukemia, including:
- Acute lymphoblastic leukemia
- Chronic lymphocytic leukemia
- Acute myeloid leukemia
Some patients develop slow-growing leukemia and do not show prominent symptoms early on. For this reason, the disease can be challenging to diagnose.
However, those with fast-growing versions of the disease often display the following signs and symptoms:
- Excessive bleeding
- Frequent bruising
- Recurrent infections
- Fatigue
- Unexplained weight loss
There is no single course of treatment for leukemia. The medical options depend heavily on which type of leukemia the patient has.
Physicians sometimes recommend monitoring slow-growing versions of the disease. Fast-growing leukemia may be treated with radiation, chemotherapy, and stem-cell transplants.
While this disease is rare, it is one of the types of cancers that could be caused by RoundUp. If you believe that your leukemia was caused by using RoundUp, contact a legal professional right away.
Pediatric Brain Cancer
Some recent studies have found that children exposed to certain herbicides had a significantly higher risk of developing brain cancer. For this reason, some have argued that RoundUp may contribute to pediatric cancer of the brain.
According to these studies, herbicides could affect future children for up to two years after parental exposure.
Some of the typical symptoms of pediatric brain cancer include:
- Pressure in the head
- Recurring severe headaches
- Vision problems
- Hearing loss and other issues
- Difficulty eating
- Nausea and vomiting
Typically, pediatric brain cancer is treated with surgery to remove slow-growing tumors that put pressure on the brain.
Additional medical treatments include chemotherapy and radiation. These are usually reserved for more aggressive forms of pediatric brain cancer.
If you believe that your child’s illness was caused by herbicide exposure, contact a skilled attorney at the firm of Morgan & Morgan. We understand that in this difficult time, having a legal expert on your side can help. Fill out our free case evaluation to begin the process.
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