Approximately 3 percent of samples taken ...

NEWS

Rodale, Emmaus, Pennsylvania, osteoporosis can affect a third of women aged 45 to 60, in menopause and decreased hormone levels leads to rapid bone loss. But the drugs used to treat this disease come under more attention on the possibility of launching esophageal cancer. Drug in question belong to a class called bisphosphonates, which includes brands like Fosamax, Actonel, Reclast and Boniva (which you can remember the last commercial featuring actress Sally Field). Back in 1994, these drugs have been suspected of causing esophageal cancer, and a study published in

New England Journal of Medicine in January 2009 added to the evidence. This month research

British Medical Journal, found that cancer risk is especially high among women who take drugs for three years or longer. DETAILS: British Medical Journal study included men and women (while women are more likely to get osteoporosis, a condition also is a problem for men) over 40 years. Using data from the database the British National Health, they found 2,954 people with cancer of the esophagus, 2018 of stomach cancer and 10,641 with colorectal cancer, and then matching those of 77,750 other adults who were free from all cancers . They then collected information about any of the adults in the study were prescribed bisphosphonates, and how many prescriptions they received. Approximately 3 percent of samples taken bisphosphonates at that point. Although bisphosphonates have been associated with stomach or colorectal cancer, people who have at least one prescription for bisphosphonates was 30 percent increased risk of developing esophageal cancer. Risk more than doubled for people who would have received more than 10 recipes that usually mean they take drugs more than three years. What this means: If you take one of these drugs, do not panic. And study author Jane Green, MD, PhD, a clinical epidemiologist at Oxford University and author of accompanying advanced want to assure people taking bisphosphonates, the risk of esophageal cancer is relatively low, despite the results. "Cancer of esophagus is rare, and in general, relatively few people would be expected of developing cancer as a result of the use of bisphosphonates, even if the risk we have found proof," she says. In his study, only 90 people were accepted as bisphosphonates and advanced esophageal cancer. "The most important thing to highlight is the need for reliable information about the benefits and risks of taking bisphosphonates for several years," she adds. "Currently, data is not enough for it." And evidence is growing that drugs can cause long term lasix 60 mg damage. .