Farmer Allegedly Contracts Cancer From Prolonged Herbicide Exposure

Case Overview

This case involves an otherwise healthy farmer who allegedly contracted cancer from prolonged exposure to a chemical herbicide. The farmer worked in a location which relied heavily on the use of chemical herbicides for crop development. After 13 years in the industry, the farmer began to exhibit fevers and night sweats, enlarged lymph nodes, and abdominal pain. The farmer was eventually diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and passed away within the year. An expert in chemical toxicology was sought to discuss the link between herbicides and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

Questions to the Toxicology expert and their responses

Are you familiar with the ingredients in herbicides that can cause non-Hodgkin's lymphoma?

The key ingredient in here that has been linked to non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is the organophosphate, glyphosate. Glyphosate was originally synthesized in the 1950s and then introduced as an herbicidal agent in the early 1970s. It was around this time that a significant increase in the incidence of NHL was observed.

How would one show how herbicides can cause non-Hodgkin's lymphoma?

One could begin to show the link by highlighting increased serum concentrations of glyphosate and the subsequent oxidative stress that has been found to be consistent with the development of NHL. One could also point to the IARC report indicating the link between glyphosate and NHL as evidenced by a number of epidemiological case-control studies. However, in highlighting this report, one would have to refute the industry-sponsored report which was quickly released in response to the IARC publication.

About the expert

This highly qualified pharmacology expert obtained his BS in biology from Rockhurst University and his PharmD at the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Pharmacy. He completed his residency in pharmacy at Duke University and is board-certified as a pharmacotherapy specialist and in medication therapy services. This expert is a member of the North American Drug Diversion Investigators, the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy, and the American Society of Heal-System Pharmacists. He has authored over 15 publications and is currently the founder and CEO of a nutritional supplements laboratory in the Midwest. He also serves as a PRN pharmacist at a medical center in Kansas City, an adjunct faculty member at a dentistry school in the Midwest, and a clinical associate professor of pharmacy practice at a midwest university.

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Specialties:

Toxicology

Dr. Wendy Ketner is a distinguished medical professional with a comprehensive background in surgery and medical research. Currently serving as the Senior Vice President of Medical Affairs at the Expert Institute, she plays a pivotal role in overseeing the organization's most important client relationships. Dr. Ketner's extensive surgical training was completed at Mount Sinai Beth Israel, where she gained hands-on experience in various general surgery procedures, including hernia repairs, cholecystectomies, appendectomies, mastectomies for breast cancer, breast reconstruction, surgical oncology, vascular surgery, and colorectal surgery. She also provided care in the surgical intensive care unit.

Her research interests have focused on post-mastectomy reconstruction and the surgical treatment of gastric cancer, including co-authoring a textbook chapter on the subject. Additionally, she has contributed to research on the percutaneous delivery of stem cells following myocardial infarction.

Dr. Ketner's educational background includes a Bachelor's degree from Yale University in Latin American Studies and a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) from SUNY Downstate College of Medicine. Moreover, she is a member of the Board of Advisors for Opollo Technologies, a fintech healthcare AI company, contributing her medical expertise to enhance healthcare technology solutions. Her role at Expert Institute involves leveraging her medical knowledge to provide insights into legal cases, underscoring her unique blend of medical and legal acumen.