HIV, Haart, and risk of cancers

[Patrick]

Unfortunately, as we all know, HIV increases our risk for certain cancers.  Some of them are OIs, but one in particular causes me particular concern - non-hodgkins lymphoma.  I think its reasonable to assume that if you are on Haart and your CD4s are at a relatively decent level, your risk for the OI cancers is very low.  However, and PLEASE correct me if I'm wrong, HIV positive individuals have a high risk of getting non-hodgkins lymphoma even when on Haart. 

I've read that being on Haart "helps" but that it can happen to those of us who are on Haart with good CD4 counts worries me.  Its an obviously very serious condition and if there is nothing we can really do to markedly reduce our risk, then I find that very scary and disheartening.  Again, all of this rambling is just a mish-mosh of info in my head that I've tried to gather from reputable sources.  If someone on here can comment on this, or correct my assumptions if they are wrong, that would be great.  I just feel that even if we all do everything right, take our meds, live healthfully, that something bad like this has a high likelihood of coming along. 

Any thoughts?  I stress out about stuff like this all the time, which I know isn't healthy, but it is what it is.

[Dan J.]

The correct answer would be : a higher risk, but certainly not high risk
But then we have a 4 time higher risk to have cardio vascularproblems, high bloodpressure and cholesterol.

I wouldn't freak out on it...

Hermie

[RapidRod]

Patrick, don't be worrying about something that you don't have or know if you'll ever have. Just live your life to the fullest. What can you do by worrying about cancers or anything else? Not a damn thing! Don't waste your time, energy and life worrying. 

[allopathicholistic]

Unfortunately, as we all know, HIV increases our risk for certain cancers.  Some of them are OIs, but one in particular causes me particular concern - non-hodgkins lymphoma. 

If you wish to better prepare yourself with reading and developing questions for your healthcare team, you might want to visit www.lymphomation.org

edited to fix link

[BT65]

I agree with Roddles.  You can't change anything by going over diseases in your head that you don't know if you'll ever develop.  I don't have the time or energy for that stuff.  How long have you been diagnosed? 

[Patrick]

I agree with Roddles.  You can't change anything by going over diseases in your head that you don't know if you'll ever develop.  I don't have the time or energy for that stuff.  How long have you been diagnosed? 

I was diagnosed 11/14/07.  This is all still very new to me.  I started on meds right away and they've worked so well for me initially that my attention has actually shifted away from worrying about HIV to worrying about ancillary things like this.  Strange but true.

[aztecan]

Hey Patrick,

There is a laundry list of things we could wind up with as a result of having the bug, or because of the meds, or both.

Like Roddles and Betty and others said, you are really spending a lot of energy tilting at windmills.

I realize this is all new to you and also that the first year is always the most emotionally turbulent. Give yourself a break by trying to stop the worrying about things.

I know, it can be compulsive. Been there myself. But there is too much living to do to spend all that time worrying.

In the end, the worrying doesn't do any good and usually makes you feel worse in the process.

HUGS,

Mark

[BT65]

Being newly diagnosed, Pat, it is normal to have such concerns.  But what will you change by going over them time and again?  Nothing.  You can probably spend your time doing more quality things and thinking about other things that really would bring some quality to your life.  I understand how you're feeling.  But try to give yourself a break.