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Q:
My Mother is 79 years old. She had invasive ductal breast cancer diagnosed almost 6 years ago and was treated with a lumpectomy followed by radiation. She had no malignant cells found on lymph node biopsies at the time of her lumpectomy. She just finished a 5-year course of Tamoxifen. She has had no cancer recurrence. I questioned whether she should take Femara now to prevent recurrence. I had read about how it can reduce recurrence by 40+ percent. Her doctor started to talk to me about relative risk versus absolute risk and he didn''t think she''d get much benefit from taking Femara. He didn''t feel the possible benefits (reduction in risk recurrence) would outweigh the risks that the drug can pose. I don''t really understand the statistics so I have to trust his opinion that she won''t get much benefit from taking Femara. I''m left wondering if we''re making the right decision. In her case, how do I tell how much treatment with Femara might reduce her risk of recurrence?
A: When in doubt get a formal second opinion. if she is dealing with other illnesses and disorders, then this needs to be considered too. sounds like she has done well. that''s great. her longevity in general compared to her risk reduction can be calculated by her doctor using a special formula they have access to....
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Q:
My Mother is 79 years old. She had invasive ductal breast cancer diagnosed almost 6 years ago and was treated with a lumpectomy followed by radiation. She had no malignant cells found on lymph node biopsies at the time of her lumpectomy. She just finished a 5-year course of Tamoxifen. She has had no cancer recurrence. I questioned whether she should take Femara now to prevent recurrence. I had read about how it can reduce recurrence by 40+ percent. Her doctor started to talk to me about relative risk versus absolute risk and he didn''t think she''d get much benefit from taking Femara. He didn''t feel the possible benefits (reduction in risk recurrence) would outweigh the risks that the drug can pose. I don''t really understand the statistics so I have to trust his opinion that she won''t get much benefit from taking Femara. I''m left wondering if we''re making the right decision. In her case, how do I tell how much treatment with Femara might reduce her risk of recurrence?
A: When in doubt get a formal second opinion. if she is dealing with other illnesses and disorders, then this needs to be considered too. sounds like she has done well. that''s great. her longevity in general compared to her risk reduction can be calculated by her doctor using a special formula they have access to....
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Q:
How to Calculate Relative risk Reduction
A: Relative risk reduction is used in epidemiology to measure the reduction (or, possibly, increase) in risk from a particular treatment or condition. For example, one can calculate the relative risk reduction for lung cancer if someone quits smoking. It can be contrasted with measures such as absolute risk reduction. Relative risk reduction can be used in both observational studies and controlled trials....
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Q:
Is there a risk of pregnancy if I took 1 pill advance and I skip the next day?
A: 13 Feb 2012 If you miss a pill in the second week (although you took 2 on the day before) then there is a risk of you becoming pregnant, if you had unprotected sex within the next 7 days. Which pill are you on? Votes:+0CommentVote upReport mary chavez 14 Feb 2012diane35 but if i had protected sex in the next 7 days, no risk of it? Add your CommentSearch for questionsStill looking for answers? Try searching for what you seek or ask your own question. Search:Similar questionsCan I skip my period by starting a new pack instead of taking the placebos?Can I start a new pack of the Ortho Tri-cyclen Lo birth control pill the week that I should be taking the placebos to effectively skip my period for ... 1 answer • 26...
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Q:
What Is absolute Neutrophil Count?
A: The absolute neutrophil count (ANC) is a lab test measuring the number of neutrophils present in a blood sample, measured per microliter. This test provides important information about a patient`s immune status, as neutrophils play a key role in the human immune system. Doctors can request an absolute neutrophil count for a patient suspected of having an immune condition or a patient at risk of immunocompromise, such as a patient undergoing chemotherapy for cancer, for the purpose of diagnosis and evaluation.. Neutrophils are a type of white blood cell involved in a number of different immune responses. They have a relatively short lifespan in the body, and an absolute neutrophil count can...
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Q:
What are the risks of taking COC in low-risk women?. Do any risks increase with duration of use of COCs?
A: The FFPHRC Guidance on contraception for women aged over 40 years [1] states that two large cohort studies have shown that long-term COC is safe for most women. One of these cohort studies found that There was no evidence that women who had used oral contraceptives for a long time had a greater risk of serious disease than those who used them for short periods. [2] The FFPHRC guidance outlines the risks associated with COC use as follows: - Non-smokers at any age with no specific risk factors can be advised that they have no increased risk of myocardial infarction (MI) with COC use (Grade B). - Women should be advised that although the relative risk of...
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Q:
ADT may up the risk for colon cancer
A: Thanks for posting the article. You didn''t post any comment; so here''s mine: And, let''s not forget to add the risk of radiation tumors from having adjuvant or salvage radiation. Let''s face it. Fighting for our lives with this PC is a risk to our health. Sure seems like needless warnings to me. It''s not like we have a choice. Driving in a snowstorm has a much greater chance of injury or death, but pulling to the side of the road and freezing to death isn''t a great option either. I really do get tired of some of these study conclusions.goodlife said... And, let''s not forget to add the risk of radiation tumors from having adjuvant or salvage radiation. Let''s face it. Fighting for our lives with this PC is...
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Q:
Do either hydroxychol./Plaquinil put you @ risk for greater immunosuppression problems?
A: 1. Yes, Plaquenil suppresses the immune system. (Autoimmune disease such as Sjogrens occurs when the body gets "confused" and attacks healthy tissue instead of just attacking the germs. Basically, the immune system is a bit out of control. Plaquenil works by suppressing the immune system. Unfortunately you can''t tell it to attack just the germs so you suppress all of its function to spare your healthy tissue- in your husband''s case, his eyes, mouth, throat.) NOTE: Plaquinil and hydroxychloroquine are essentially the same drug. The same effects should be expected from both drugs. 2. No, his immune system should not be forever compromised. I have an autoimmune disease and must take Plaquenil for the rest of my life in order to keep my immune system suppressed. There is no reason...
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Q:
HIV risk from a staple puncture of finger...
A: Hi Again,
absolutely not. The theoretical risk is absolutely neglible, and is not worth the risk to your baby"s well being by NOT BREAST FEEDING. This is the best source of nutrition and passive antibody for baby"s well being.
Good luck! And stop worrying about an essential impossibility of an infection from getting stuck with a staple.
--mark ...
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Q:
HIV risk from a staple puncture of finger...
A: Hi Again,
absolutely not. The theoretical risk is absolutely neglible, and is not worth the risk to your baby"s well being by NOT BREAST FEEDING. This is the best source of nutrition and passive antibody for baby"s well being.
Good luck! And stop worrying about an essential impossibility of an infection from getting stuck with a staple.
--mark ...
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