Monsanto Roundup and Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Cases
Monsanto’s roundup controversy – recent studies link roundup to certain cancers
The weed-killer Roundup was declared a “probable human carcinogen” after three major studies linked it to non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Monsanto is facing a growing number of lawsuits for downplaying this risk information.
1974 – Monsanto introduces Roundup (glyphosate)—a powerful herbicide that quickly became a mainstay on most American farms.
1996 – Monsanto patents and releases Roundup-Ready seeds, which are genetically modified to withstand the ubiquitous Roundup herbicide. This allows farmers to kill weeds without also dooming their own crops. Over the next 20 years, Roundup-Ready crops will come to dominate their respective markets, eventually reaching a 90% share.
2013 – Entropy—a peer-reviewed scientific journal based in Switzerland—publishes a study that concludes
glyphosate enhances the damaging effects of other food borne chemical residues and environmental toxins. Negative impact on the body is insidious and manifests slowly over time as inflammation damages cellular systems throughout the body.
According to the study, one of the consequences of this negative impact is cancer.
In March 2015, the International Agency for Research on Cancer, or IARC (part of the World Health Organization, or WHO) assesses the potential cancer-causing (carcinogenic) effects of glyphosate (Roundup). It determines that glyphosate is “probably carcinogenic to humans.”
In the Fall 2015, plaintiffs file the first of at least 25 lawsuits against Monsanto over Roundup’s allegedly cancer-causing effects. Many plaintiffs, like Yolanda Mendoza, just sprayed Roundup on their yard every week. Ms. Mendoza, a mother of three, contracted Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in 2013. (After intensive chemotherapy, her cancer is currently in remission.)
“What everyone has in common is that they all used Roundup and they all have non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.” Her attorney tells CBS News. “Some people are landscapers, some people are migrant farm workers, some people are farmers. What everyone has in common is that they all used Roundup and they all have non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.”
The next month, federal judges consolidate dozens of Monsanto Roundup lawsuits into a multi-district litigation (MDL) in the Northern District of California.
What’s all this mean for the American Farmer? If you or a loved one contracted cancer after using Roundup extensively, please contact us today to explore your legal options. Although historically difficult cases to make on causation, lawyers do feel the science is now at a point that claims can be asserted against Monsanto claiming failure to warn, etc. We may be able to help you get relief for medical bills, lost wages and income, pain and suffering, and other expenses. For those who lost loved ones, wrongful death claims can be asserted. Don’t wait though. These lawsuits are time-sensitive, and statute of limitations vary from state to state. You must file a claim timely or be forever barred as a matter of law.
Studies Linking Roundup and Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma: Three major studies published since 2001 have linked Roundup and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Other studies published since the 1970s have found convincing evidence that Roundup causes cancer in rodents and has genotoxic effects in humans.
– October 2008: A study published by Swedish researchers in the International Journal of Cancer found a doubled increased risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma among men who were exposed to Roundup.
– September 2003: A study published in the Occupational and Environmental Medicine found a 60% increased risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma based on data from three large studies of American farm workers in the Midwest.
– November 2001: A study published by Canadian researchers in Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers found that higher exposures to Roundup were associated with higher rates of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
What is Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma? Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is a cancer that grows in white blood cells called lymphocytes. These cells help prevent infections and they are part of the body’s immune system.
Warning Signs & Symptoms of Lymphoma: Non-Hodgkin lymphoma can grow in lymph tissue throughout the body. In some cases, low-grade NHL progresses slowly and produces no symptoms for years. In other cases, high-grade lymphoma spreads aggressively and rapidly causes death.
When symptoms do appear, they vary depending on where the cancer is located — chest, brain, skin, abdomen, and lymph nodes. The first warning signs may include:
- Enlarged lymph nodes
- Hard lump the neck, armpits, groin, and other areas
- Fever and chills that come and go
- Coughing or shortness of breath
- Chest pain or pressure
- Abdominal pain or swelling (nausea, constipation, loss of appetite, etc.)
- Drenching night sweats
- Fatigue, tiredness, or weakness
- Anemia (low red blood cell count)
Diagnosis of Lymphoma: Many people who are diagnosed with lymphoma visit a doctor after they notice a hard lump on their body. The first test is usually a biopsy, which is surgery to remove a small piece of tissue from the lump. This sample is examined under a microscope by a pathologist who looks for cancer. Other diagnostic tests may include blood tests or imaging (CT scan, MRI, X-ray, etc.).
How is Lymphoma Treated? The treatment for non-Hodgkin lymphoma depends on many factors, including the type of cancer, how aggressively it is spreading, and whether it has spread to multiple areas of the body. In some cases, surgery may be useful for removing cancerous tissue. However, most people undergo chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, and/or stem cell transplants.
If you or a family member believe you have been harmed by using Roundup containing products, call now for a free consultation. Spencer Shields is a licensed Missouri / Kansas attorney with 20 years of experience prosecuting claims involving personal injury, product liability and wrongful death on behalf of injured consumers. For more information, visit www.ShieldOfJustice.net, or call (816) 421-0800 for a free consultation regarding your specific case. All cases are taken on a contingent fee relationship. No fees or expenses are owed unless a recovery is made on your behalf.