Question 1

will eating slate pencil lead to cancer?

Accepted Answer

Probably not: I am not aware of a link between eating slate pencil lead and the development of cancer.

Question 2

is it common in people eating pencil leads? are there any cancer causing things in lead pencils? i have an habit of eating pencil leads and chewing wooden pencils?

Accepted Answer

: Compulsive chewing and ingestion of non-food materials is called pica (google it for more info). Pencil chewing is a common form. This particular ingestion is not likely to be harmful, if not in very large amounts. Other commonly ingested materials can be medically harmful and pica also can be associated with serious psychological conditions. Discuss this with your doctor. Good luck.

Question 3

is the graphite in pencil lead harmful because,the graphite has silica which is carcinogenic? i have an habit of eating these leads? does it leads to cancer in future?

Accepted Answer

: Duplicate question. See previous reply. This medical condition is called pica. Cancer is not likely, but other health problems are possible.

Question 4

i have a habit of eating graphite pencil leads since 1 year.i just open the wooden coating of pencil with my mouth and eat the lead inside it.by eating pencil leads,is there any problem in future like cancer?

Accepted Answer

: The "lead" of pencils is an inert material called graphite. You poop it out in your stool like other indigestible debris. I  know of no studies that looked at the long term ingestion of this material nor would I expect them to be done in the near future. Eat at your own risk.

Question 5

i used to eat lot of pencil leads daily.what are the side effects? does it lead to cancer? what treatment should i take?

Accepted Answer

: There is no lead in pencils nowadays. It is made by graphite and clay, no toxic effect.

Question 6

pencil shaped stool: could this indicate bowel cancer?

Accepted Answer

Possible: A rectal cancer could be a cause of decreased caliber stool, but there are others, so  you need to seek an immediate physical exam, starting with the most basic technique, the digital rectal exam. Your doctor can guide you, but seek help.

Question 7

daily i am swallowing lot of pencil leads. does it leads to cancer?

Accepted Answer

: No. This material is graphite which is relatively inert. It would pass out in your poop in a few days.

Question 8

do pencil stools mean i could have an intestinal blockage or cancer?

Accepted Answer

Not necessarily: See that you have irritable bowel syndrome. That can also change your stool presentation - they could be longer or more narrow. Please let your doctor know.

Question 9

if 'pencil' stool and 'narrow' stool are signs of colon cancer but exactly how thin of the stool consider as pencil stool or narrow ?

Accepted Answer

Only a descriptive: Term used to describe major changes in ones bowel habits. Size or measurement would not be used. Age 24 would be extraordinarily rare to get colon cancer. Mainly bowel function is based on your diet, and likely need higher fiber diet with fruits and vegetables, avoid junk foods, add metamucil, drink plenty water. See a doctor for an examination.

Question 10

my dad just found out he has prostate cancer and they say it is very small right now(the size of a pencil point) .......how fast can it grow?

Accepted Answer

Usuially slowly: Prostate cancer is typically very slow growing.  Whether the cancer will have any impact on his livelihood depends on how aggressive the cancer is (usually given a "gleason score" between 6-10, higher being more aggressive), and how old and healthy he is.  Most men die with prostate cancer, not because of it.  Nowadays we are more careful about trying not to overtreat patients unnecessarily.

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Doctor answers about:

Will eating slate pencil lead to cancer

A member asked:

Will eating slate pencil lead to cancer?

A member asked:

Is it common in people eating pencil leads? are there any cancer causing things in lead pencils? i have an habit of eating pencil leads and chewing wooden pencils?

A member asked:

Is the graphite in pencil lead harmful because,the graphite has silica which is carcinogenic? i have an habit of eating these leads? does it leads to cancer in future?

A member asked:

I have a habit of eating graphite pencil leads since 1 year.i just open the wooden coating of pencil with my mouth and eat the lead inside it.by eating pencil leads,is there any problem in future like cancer?

A member asked:

I used to eat lot of pencil leads daily.what are the side effects? does it lead to cancer? what treatment should i take?

A member asked:

Pencil shaped stool: could this indicate bowel cancer?

A member asked:

Daily i am swallowing lot of pencil leads. does it leads to cancer?

A member asked:

Do pencil stools mean i could have an intestinal blockage or cancer?

A member asked:

If 'pencil' stool and 'narrow' stool are signs of colon cancer but exactly how thin of the stool consider as pencil stool or narrow ?

A member asked:

My dad just found out he has prostate cancer and they say it is very small right now(the size of a pencil point) .......how fast can it grow?

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