A lack of association between increases in gastrointestinal, liver, and urologic cancers and cyanobacterial contamination of fresh water lakes in Manitoba.

Cyanobacteria or blue-green algae are becoming increasingly abundant in North American fresh water lakes. Toxins produced by cyanobacteria have been associated with gastrointestinal injury, liver failure, and nephrotoxicity. They have also been implicated in the pathogenesis of gastrointestinal and liver cancers.

The Geographic Distribution of Liver Cancer in Canada Does Not Associate with Cyanobacterial Toxin Exposure.

Background: The incidence of liver cancer has been increasing in Canada over the past decade, as has cyanobacterial contamination of Canadian freshwater lakes and drinking water sources. Cyanotoxins released by cyanobacteria have been implicated in the pathogenesis of liver cancer.

Objective: To determine whether a geographic association exists between liver cancer and surrogate markers of cyanobacterial contamination of freshwater lakes in Canada.