Posted , 6 users are following.
I'm wondering has anyone come across research articles on any connection between prednisolone and developing cancer?
My understanding of our immune system is that one aspect is it scavengers up and destroys malignant cells which we all have, but are you at increased risk of cancer when the pred is decreasing the immune system?
0 likes, 6 replies
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margaret22116 Nolal2
Posted
Hi I am not an expert but I too am on immunosuppressants in my case for Behcet's disease. As I understand it all immunosuppressant medication does have a risk associated with it. Ask your doctor about pred specifically. But I know there is increased risk with things like Imuran and Mycophenolate which I am on. My doc told me mycophenolate is less associated with cancer than Imuran. I have never taken steroids and don't know enough about them specifically but if concerned I would ask.
Loulie Nolal2
Posted
anne57814 Loulie
Posted
I also was diagnosed with breast cancer a few weeks after being diagnosed with PMR in spring of 2015. I don't think the two are linked although I don't think they really know. As for PMR, maybe there is a component of genetics involved. Both my mother and my aunt (father's sister) had PMR.
The biggest concern I have is isolating what is causing pain when there is more than one medicine involved and more than one condition. I know many people on this forum have this issue and it has been a big help to me reading other's thoughts on this.
Anhaga Nolal2
Posted
It isn't cut and dried. Prednisone reduces inflammation in the tissues. Inflammation is associated with cancer risk. So, if anything, I would imagine prednisone to be beneficial rather than otherwise in connection to overall cancer risk. Certainly at the lower doses most PMR patients are on I believe there would not be any increased cancer risk, quite the reverse.
Anhaga
Posted
These kinds of steroids are used to help prevent organ rejection in transplant patients. They are extraordinarily useful. For PMR patients taking steps to avoid most unwanted effects is a good idea (diet, exercise for weight gain, blood sugar or bone thinning). Some things we can't do much about, like eye pressure or bruising of the skin but we still can help ourselves, doing what we can to avoid exposure to diseases, like colds and flu, being extra careful if we injure ourselves and having regular eye checkups.
margaret22116 Anhaga
Posted
I agree. It's all a question of balancing up what you need from the meds with the possible side effects. When you look online at the issue it seems to be disputed that it can leave you more prone to cancer. I take immunosuppressants because my life without them would be so much more difficult.