Naples – A nationwide clinical warning comes from the Pascale Cancer Institute in Naples: the number of young people under 40 suffering from liver cancer is rising sharply, even in the absence of the usual risk factors such as viral hepatitis, cirrhosis, or alcohol abuse. Specialists point the finger at the prolonged and improper use of anabolic steroids, a practice that is worryingly increasing even outside of professional sports.
In recent years, the facility has seen a significant increase in young patients suffering from serious liver diseases, the only correlation found was chronic use of performance-enhancing drugs.
These substances, taken to increase muscle mass and performance, can trigger cancer. "Chronic use can promote the development of liver adenomas, with the real risk of their malignant evolution," explains Professor Francesco Izzo, director of Hepatobiliary Surgery at the Pascale Hospital. "These drugs profoundly alter the delicate mechanisms of cellular regeneration and can trigger cancer even in young and apparently healthy individuals."
The cancer risk, clinicians emphasize, is directly proportional to high doses and repeated dose cycles over time. The concern isn't limited to the liver alone. The use of synthetic testosterone, growth hormone (GH), and similar substances is also scientifically linked to an increased incidence of prostate and testicular cancers, and so-called primary liver cancer.
The phenomenon is particularly widespread in fitness and amateur sports circles, where doping is often overlooked, perceived as a harmless and socially acceptable shortcut to improving one's physical appearance. The easy availability of these products online, often of dubious origin and quality, further exacerbates the situation.
"We need to decisively strengthen the prevention and information network, especially among adolescents and young people," concludes Professor Izzo. The call is to promote a culture of healthy and safe sports, based on healthy lifestyles, gradual training, and appropriate nutrition, in stark contrast to the dangerous illusion offered by chemistry.
Pascale specialists reiterate the need for targeted educational campaigns and greater control over the black market of anabolics to protect the health of new generations.
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Comments (1)
This is truly alarming news and makes us reflect on how dangerous anabolic steroids can be. Despite being used to enhance performance, they pose numerous health risks, especially among young people who are unaware of the consequences.