HIV-Infected Patients More Likely to Lack Cancer Treatment

[Ptrk3]

HIV-infected patients more likely to lack cancer treatment
Study is first to find association independent of insurance status and other health conditions
Date:
May 17, 2016
Source:
American Cancer Society
Summary:
HIV-infected patients with cancer in the United States appear to be less likely to receive cancer treatment, regardless of insurance and other existing health conditions, a new report suggests.

From Science Daily:

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/05/160517120500.htm

[CaveyUK]

The first paragraph here bothers me somewhat....

Cancer is an increasingly common cause of morbidity and mortality among individuals infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). In the United States, cancer incidence rates in this population have increased since the introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). Cancer is now the second most common cause of death among HIV-infected individuals, after AIDS-related deaths.

Is that actually true? In the US the LEADING cause of death for those HIV+ are 'AIDS-Related' deaths?

[hiv_rizzy]

The first paragraph here bothers me somewhat....

Is that actually true? In the US the LEADING cause of death for those HIV+ are 'AIDS-Related' deaths?

I want to know myself. Are the pills still toxic enough to be causing Cancer later on or is it the immune system getting too much inflammation due to constant activation

[PittGurl]

also would like to know 

[CaveyUK]

I want to know myself. Are the pills still toxic enough to be causing Cancer later on or is it the immune system getting too much inflammation due to constant activation

The pills won't be causing cancer themselves. Low level inflammation due to HIV in the reservoirs is still an issue which can cause some issues in later life, I believe (not cancer specifically)

But the report stated that the top killer of HIV+ people in the US were AIDS-related. Whilst I know that this will include people who didn't start treatment, or stopped treatment for a variety of reasons, it still seems a bit of a strong statement, as to my understanding in the setting of modern ARV treatment, there is not the guaranteed slide down into AIDS as the immune system is maintained at normal, or near-normal levels.

It could just be poor wording in the report, and I suspect that's what it is. Or it is using outdated statistics.

Hope so anyway

[Ptrk3]

But the report stated that the top killer of HIV+ people in the US were AIDS-related. Whilst I know that this will include people who didn't start treatment, or stopped treatment for a variety of reasons, it still seems a bit of a strong statement, as to my understanding in the setting of modern ARV treatment, there is not the guaranteed slide down into AIDS as the immune system is maintained at normal, or near-normal levels.

It could just be poor wording in the report, and I suspect that's what it is. Or it is using outdated statistics.

Hope so anyway

Well, it could mean exactly what it says, which is along the lines of what you point out above, that some people didn't start treatment (died of an OI at or near diagnosis) or stopped treatment, so they died of an "Aids-related" cause, and that was the top cause of death of HIV-positive people in terms of absolute numbers.

On the face of it, that "fact" is not inconsistent with the notion that an HIV-positive person keeping to his or her regimen of meds won't die of Aids.  In other words, it could mean that though more and more people with HIV are dying of cancer, those with HIV dying of cancer is second as a cause of death to those still dying of Aids, in terms of absolute numbers, because too many people are getting diagnosed too late or are not taking meds consistently.  More outreach and education is needed.

Moral of story:  get tested, get diagnosed early, start appropriate treatment early, don't die of Aids, but instead die of something secondary, such as cancer.  If you get diagnosed too late or don't take your meds, you won't "get the chance" to die of cancer:  you'll be dead of Aids first.  It's that simple:  take your meds!

Beyond that, the story seems to indicate that those who have HIV and cancer are disenfranchised in one way or another (socio-economic, race) so that efforts must be made to assure that HIV-positive people who have cancer are adequately and fairly treated so that a disproportionate number of them don't fall between the "treatment" cracks, so to speak.

[hiv_rizzy]

I don't know anyone who would want to die from cancer. It's a serious concern to persons living with hiv. It's unfair to think living healthy and taking meds yet still one will die from something so cold as cancer **because of hiv**. I hope it is due to the fact if persons are not taking their meds or discovered to have their hiv gone to aids before they started meds. Not because we are living normal lifespan means we want to automatically die from cancer.
CANCER- the most horrifying thing to have.

[mecch]

calm down people. Are you 28 rizzy?  Focus on living and building your life. Diseases of old age are decades down the line.
Yes cancer is a horrible death. Many deaths by disease are horrible. Not just cancer.

Ever see someone dye of severe MS?

HIV+ and HIV neg people - we all gonna die... and some of us from cancer. My dad died of cancer and it was horrible. Lived a full life, family, career, etc, then he died. That's life.

Look forward to the living not the dying.

[hiv_rizzy]

calm down people. Are you 28 rizzy?  Focus on living and building your life. Diseases of old age are decades down the line.
Yes cancer is a horrible death. Many deaths by disease are horrible. Not just cancer.

Ever see someone dye of severe MS?

HIV+ and HIV neg people - we all gonna die... and some of us from cancer. My dad died of cancer and it was horrible. Lived a full life, family, career, etc, then he died. That's life.

Look forward to the living not the dying.

Yes I know old age but..... sighs. I would feel better if they hurry up and find a cure. I know death is a must but just don't want my probability of dying to cancer is high due to this virus

[bocker3]

Yes I know old age but..... sighs. I would feel better if they hurry up and find a cure. I know death is a must but just don't want my probability of dying to cancer is high due to this virus

This study doesn't say you have a higher probability of dying from Cancer due to the virus.  Let's be clear -- cancer is the 2nd leading cause of death in the US -- for everyone!!!!

The study was about lack of treatment for cancer, it wasn't about the rates of cancer in HIV+.

And for the record - I can think of a number of things more "horrifying to have" than cancer. (Lou Gehrig's disease instantly comes to mind)  You need to not overreact to things like this.  Live your life -- we never know when our time will come -- or how, so what's the use of worrying.

Mike

[PittGurl]

And for the record - I can think of a number of things more "horrifying to have" than cancer. (Lou Gehrig's disease instantly comes to mind)  You need to not overreact to things like this.  Live your life -- we never know when our time will come -- or how, so what's the use of worrying.
Mike

Mike my dad was diagnosed last year with ALS......just before I find out about my DX....      It is terrible....it's affected our entire family.....in 1 year he has totally lost his ability to talk and eat (except smashed foods in a baby grinder).  He can still walk and use his arms and his mind is sharp....but this is a man that worked hard blue collar work, rode a Harley and was the man of the house with my mom......  now this man is tired, lost alot of weight and being taken care of by the love of his life, my mother. ALS is a much worse DX compared to us. You are right....my "off time" with my kids is pretty much consumed by helping them keep their house clean, going through bills for insurance, visiting and keeping memories going for my kids with their PopPop.

[leatherman]

But the report stated that the top killer of HIV+ people in the US were AIDS-related. Whilst I know that this will include people who didn't start treatment, or stopped treatment for a variety of reasons, it still seems a bit of a strong statement, as to my understanding in the setting of modern ARV treatment, there is not the guaranteed slide down into AIDS as the immune system is maintained at normal, or near-normal levels.

It could just be poor wording in the report, and I suspect that's what it is. Or it is using outdated statistics.

in the 9 Southern states, where the worst part of the epidemic resides (and is still climbing), 27% of those diagnosed with AIDS and 15% of those diagnosed with HIV die within 5 years. Stigma about HIV (often religious based stigma) causes people to not get tested, not get treatment, or not stay on treatment. This leads to a lot of PLWH dying from AIDS-related issues which either skews the stats or highlights the problem, depending on your point of view.