Two million people in the world take different medications to control their high blood pressure. U.S. researchers say that these drugs slightly increase the risk of cancer.
In fact, according to a report published in The Lancet Oncology, a team at the University Hospitals Case Medical Center in Cleveland says that the risk of cancer increases by 1%. This is what researchers concluded after analyzing five studies totalling 60,000 patients.
The relationship between this type of medication and cancer is unclear and further studies are now needed. But this study suggests the possibility that the development of blood vessels in tumours is helped along by taking this medication.
However, researchers insist that people who take these pills should not stop taking their medication without first consulting their doctor. The study showed no significant difference in the rate of death, but the research has not been going on long enough to have truly conclusive results.