 
Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health
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Vol 36 (6 Issues in 2012)
Edited by: Dr Jeanne Daly, Professor John Lowe, Dr Priscilla Robinson, Professor Sandra Thompson, Professor Alistair Woodward
Print ISSN: 1326-0200 Online ISSN: 1753-6405
Published on behalf of Public Health Association of Australia
Impact Factor: 1.529
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Heroin linked to increased cancer risk
Heroin dependent people have a higher risk of death from cancer than the general population.
This is the finding from a study published in the June issue of the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health.
“Death from cancer is becoming increasingly elevated among this group particularly because of their high exposure to hepatitis B and C, and heavy alcohol and tobacco use,” said co-author Professor Louisa Degenhardt, of the Burnet Institute. Lower survival because of reduced access to early diagnosis and treatment in this group may also be a factor.
“As people live longer with heroin dependence, cancer will become an increasingly important cause of death.
“Unfortunately, much less attention is given to alcohol and tobacco use, and lifestyle factors, among this group.”
The study, which examined cancer mortality in people who had entered methadone treatment from 1985-2006, was completed by a group working at the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC) in Sydney.
