UNITED NATIONS

 
Published: Sunday 31 March 1996

The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported that the drug used to fight breast cancer all over the world can actually be a carcinogenic agent by increasing the risk of contracting endometrial cancer. The disturbing news about Tamoxifen, the medicine given to women after breast cancer operations, was the result of a study consisting of 17 scientists from different countries at the WHO's International Agency for Research of Cancer (IARC) in Lyon, France.

However, Nick Gaudin, spokesperson for IARC says the benefits of Tamoxifen far outweigh its potential risks and women being treated for breast cancer should not stop their treatment.

In spite of criticisms directed against it, the UN is all set to fund the second world conference on human settlements to be held from June 3-14 in Istanbul, Turkey. Considering the state of bankruptcy hat the UN finds itself in, countries like the US have voiced their concern on the UN move. Dismissing them, however, UN officials are at pains to insist that the conference would promote the habitat housing activities worldwide. The UN has sponsored six international conferences so far in six years.

Subscribe to Daily Newsletter :

Comments are moderated and will be published only after the site moderator’s approval. Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name. Selected comments may also be used in the ‘Letters’ section of the Down To Earth print edition.