“You have cancer.”
Those are the three most terrifying words you can hear in a doctor’s office. Suddenly, it’s as if the air has been sucked out of the room.
And the truth is at that moment you’re likely to agree, blindly, to just about anything the guy in the white coat says.
After all, you feel like you can’t breathe, let alone make any major decisions.
But it turns out that could be one of the worst things you can do.
Because recent drug warnings have revealed some of the most common cancer meds could end up KILLING the very folks they’re supposed to protect and cure.
And you can’t rely on your doctor to keep you safe, either.
So it’s time to slow things down.
Take a few deep breaths. And make sure you understand your risks… including potential serious side effects… BEFORE you agree to any new treatments.
Beware of deadly differentiation syndrome
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with leukemia, your doctor may prescribe Idhifa. You may decide it’s the right treatment for you. But you should know it could raise your risk for a deadly condition called differentiation syndrome.
And that means it could lead to…
- lung and breathing problems
- fluid build-up around the heart and lungs
- dangerously low blood pressure
- kidney failure
In trials, 14 percent of leukemia patients developed this dangerous and sometimes deadly condition.
Even worse, many doctors miss or ignore the early warning signs of differentiation syndrome. Symptoms often get labeled as expected cancer treatment side effects. Or, in some cases, even the flu.
In other words, it’s up to you to make sure you don’t become a statistic.
If you’re being treated for leukemia, be on the lookout for any of these symptoms….
- fever
- cough
- shortness of breath
- swelling of arms and legs
- swelling around the neck, groin, or underarm area
- quick weight gain of more than 10 pounds within a week
- bone pain
- dizziness or feeling lightheaded
If you have several, make an appointment to talk with your doctor about differentiation syndrome.
Chemo side effects could make things worse
It turns out your cancer treatment could also GIVE you cancer.
If you or a loved one is undergoing chemotherapy for a solid-tumor cancer, you could be at risk for developing another, secondary cancer.
Some chemo drugs can trigger a DEADLY blood cancer called therapy-related myelodysplastic syndrome (tMDS) or acute myeloid leukemia (AML).
It occurs most often with platinum-based chemo treatments. And although it’s rare, the number of cases of tMDS may soon be on the rise.
Because despite this deadly side effect, in one year alone the number of platinum-based treatments skyrocketed by 81 percent.
If your doctor suggests using platinum-based chemo, be sure to ask about other options.
The cancer treatment that SPREADS cancer
In some cases, chemotherapy can cause cancer to spread.
According to new research, the common chemo drugs paclitaxel and doxorubicin can cause breast cancer to metastasize to your lungs.
Both drugs can trigger tumors to release fluid-filled sacs into your bloodstream. And when they reach your lungs, they can set off a potentially deadly chain reaction.
The sacks contain a compound which tells your lungs to release a protein called CCL2. And your body reacts by sending monocytes or immune cells to the area.
Now if you were thinking that sounds like a good thing, usually you’d be right. Because typically monocytes help fight off infections and remove dead or damaged tissues.
But in this case, they fuel the growth of the cancer cells and help them to survive.
When cancer locks you into a battle for your life, the last thing you need is another deadly surprise. Refuse to be bullied and don’t be rushed into making any decisions.
Take the time you need to be sure you understand your risks… and potential side effects… BEFORE you start treatment. That way you can concentrate ALL of your energy on getting better.
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