Medical Bulletin 6/February/2026 - Video

Here are the top medical news for today:

Nearly 40% of Global Cancer Cases Linked to Preventable Risk Factors: WHO-IARC Analysis

Ahead of World Cancer Day 2026 on February 4, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), a specialised agency of the World Health Organization (WHO), has released a major global analysis estimating the burden of preventable cancers worldwide. The findings were published in Nature Medicine.

The analysis examined around 30 modifiable risk factors across multiple cancer types and found that approximately 37% of all new cancer cases in 2022—the most recent year with complete data—were linked to preventable causes. This translates to about 7.1 million cancer cases globally that could potentially have been avoided through lifestyle changes, vaccination, and improved health measures.

Researchers analysed data from 185 countries, covering 36 cancer types, including breast, lung, colorectal, cervical, stomach, liver, skin cancers, and leukaemia. The study revealed significant regional differences. Among women, the highest proportion of preventable cancers was observed in sub-Saharan Africa, where 38.2% of new cases were attributed to modifiable risk factors. In men, the highest burden was seen in East Asia, where preventable factors accounted for 57.2% of cancer cases.

For the first time, the analysis included the impact of nine cancer-causing infections, such as high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV), hepatitis B and C viruses, Helicobacter pylori, Epstein–Barr virus, and certain parasitic infections linked to bladder and bile duct cancers. The researchers noted that limited access to vaccination, screening, clean water, and timely treatment in low- and middle-income countries continues to drive infection-related cancers.

Globally, tobacco use, infections, and alcohol consumption emerged as the leading preventable risk factors, with smoking alone linked to over 3.3 million cancer cases. The study underscores the urgent need to strengthen cancer prevention strategies, particularly vaccination programmes, infection control, and tobacco and alcohol reduction policies worldwide.

REFERENCE: Fink, H., Langselius, O., Vignat, J. et al. Global and regional cancer burden attributable to modifiable risk factors to inform prevention. Nat Med (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-026-04219-7

High-Dose Antioxidant Use in Men May Affect Sperm DNA and Offspring Development: Study

Antioxidants are widely promoted for their potential health benefits, including disease prevention, anti-aging effects, and treatment of chronic conditions. However, new research from the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (VMBS) suggests that excessive antioxidant intake may have unintended consequences for male reproductive health and offspring development.

The study, published in Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology, examined the effects of two commonly used antioxidants—N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) and selenium (Se)—on male mice. Researchers led by Dr. Michael Golding exposed male mice to high doses of these antioxidants for six weeks and then assessed outcomes in their offspring.

While the antioxidant exposure did not produce noticeable health changes in the male mice, the offspring displayed measurable differences in skull and facial development. These craniofacial changes were observed even in the absence of other stressors, suggesting that antioxidant exposure alone was sufficient to influence sperm DNA and developmental outcomes.

Notably, female offspring showed more pronounced effects, including smaller skull size and closer-set eyes—features that resemble those seen in fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. According to the researchers, these facial differences may also indicate underlying changes in brain development, as the face and brain form simultaneously during gestation.

The findings raise concerns about the widespread, unsupervised use of high-dose antioxidant supplements, particularly among men planning to conceive. Antioxidants are often used to counter oxidative stress, including damage caused by alcohol consumption, and are commonly included in multivitamins at doses far exceeding recommended daily allowances.

Dr. Golding emphasized that balance is critical, noting that excessive antioxidant intake may reduce reproductive fitness rather than improve it. He advised caution when supplements provide doses well above 100% of recommended daily values, especially in the absence of a medical indication.

While further research is needed to determine whether similar effects occur in humans, the study highlights the importance of moderation and informed use of dietary supplements, particularly during preconception periods.

REFERENCE: Derrico, D. D., et al. (2025). Therapy to teratology: chronic paternal antioxidant supplementation alters offspring placental architecture and craniofacial morphogenesis in a mouse model. Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology. DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2025.1697843. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/cell-and-developmental-biology/articles/10.3389/fcell.2025.1697843/full

Metformin Use Linked to Lower Odds of Intermediate Age-Related Macular Degeneration: Study

A recent study published in BMJ Open Ophthalmology suggests that metformin use may be associated with a reduced incidence of intermediate age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Researchers conducted a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected screening data to explore whether metformin prescription influences AMD development over time.

AMD is a chronic, progressive retinal disease and a leading cause of irreversible vision loss among older adults. Despite its growing public health burden, effective therapies remain largely confined to advanced wet AMD, leaving limited options for early or intermediate disease prevention. This therapeutic gap has prompted interest in repurposing existing medications with potential anti-ageing and anti-inflammatory properties.

Metformin, a first-line treatment for type 2 diabetes (T2D), has been linked in previous studies to reduced inflammation, improved mitochondrial function, and decreased oxidative stress—mechanisms relevant to AMD pathophysiology. However, much of the earlier evidence relied on administrative data rather than direct retinal imaging.

The current study analysed retinal fundus photographs from the Individualised Screening for Diabetic Retinopathy (ISDR) study in Liverpool, UK. The final cohort included 2,089 participants aged 50 years or older with clinically confirmed T2D. Retinal images obtained at baseline (2011) and five-year follow-up (2016) were graded using a modified Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) classification system.

Using multivariable logistic regression, the researchers assessed the association between metformin prescription and incident AMD while adjusting for age, sex, diabetes duration, HbA1c levels, and diabetic retinopathy status. Metformin use was associated with approximately 37% lower odds of developing intermediate AMD, with adjusted odds ratios ranging from 0.63 to 0.66 (p = 0.01–0.02).

No significant associations were observed for early AMD, and although unadjusted analyses suggested a reduced risk of late AMD, this finding did not persist after adjustment. The authors caution that the observational design precludes causal inference and that residual confounding cannot be excluded.

Overall, the findings are considered hypothesis-generating and support further prospective trials to evaluate whether metformin could delay AMD progression. If confirmed, metformin may represent a low-cost preventive strategy for individuals at risk, particularly those with diabetes.

REFERENCE: Romdhoniyyah, D. F., Alshukri, A., Parry, D. G., Harding, S., & Beare, N. A. V. (2026). Metformin and incidence of age-related macular degeneration in people with diabetes: a population-based 5-year case-control study. BMJ Open Ophthalmology, 11(1), e002339. DOI – 10.1136/bmjophth-2025-002339, https://bmjophth.bmj.com/content/11/1/e002339