Does Breast Cancer Cause Heartburn

With All The Chemo Meds You’re Taking

I’d be very surprised if they weren’t giving you dexamethazone.

The Ondansetron is a great med but it also causes quite a few headaches. Be careful of that. 🙂

Compazine was like taking tic-tacs. It did absolutely nothing for my nausea at first. I don’t have to take anything now. When I’m disconnected, I only feel fatigue now. Not too bad, huh? I still have to take the Ativan for sleeping some nights. There’s nothing wrong with taking them, but remember they are addictive. 🙂

Love and Hugs,

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Voluntary Recall Of Zantac By Sanofi/fda

Sanofi, the maker of Zantac initiated a voluntary recall of all Zantac OTC products in the United States. This includes Zantac 150®, Zantac 150® Cool Mint, and Zantac 75®. Zantac tablets are an oral, over-the-counter product to prevent and relieve heartburn associated with acid ingestion and sour stomach. This announcement can be found on the FDA website.

On September 13, 2019, the U.S Food and Drug Administration issued a public statement alerting that some ranitidine medicines, including Zantac OTC, could contain NDMA at low levels and asked manufacturers to conduct testing.

Evaluations are ongoing on both drug substance and finished drug product. Due to inconsistencies in preliminary test results of the active ingredient used in the U.S. products, Sanofi has made the decision to conduct the voluntary recall as the investigation continues.

Active ingredients used in Sanofiâs ranitidine products outside of the U.S. and Canada are sourced from different suppliers. Sanofi has also issued a voluntary recall in Canada. The company is committed to transparency and will continue to communicate results with health authorities from the ongoing testing, and work with them to make informed decisions based on available data and evidence.

Risk Statement: NDMA is classified as a probable human carcinogen based on results from laboratory tests. NDMA is a known environmental contaminant and found in water and foods, including meats, dairy products, and vegetables.

Breast Cancer Lawsuits Against Zantac Manufacturers

A Florida woman filed a lawsuit in December of 2019 to seek compensation for her breast cancer diagnosis in August of that year. She had been taking Zantac to treat her chronic heartburn for nearly two decades when she received her diagnosis. In another Florida case, a man was taking Zantac to calm his acid reflux and heartburn for nine years starting in 2009 and was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2013.

Both of these suits assert that Zantac producers had the responsibility to know about its carcinogenic effects and release this information to the public and medical community, but did no such thing. In fact, despite knowledge of NDMAs harmful properties since the 1970s, Zantac has been marketed as safe since it was introduced to the market in 1983. Millions of Americans have been treating their indigestion, heartburn, and acid reflux with ranitidine for years or possibly even decades.

Breast cancer patients who were diagnosed caused by regular Zantac use deserve compensation. Our experienced team of lawyers at Kwartler Manus, LLC can assist you in collecting the restitution you are entitled to and does not rest until justice is served.

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What Can It Lead To

People with Barrett’s esophagus are anywhere from 30 to 125 times more likely to develop esophageal cancer, according to the American Cancer Society.

The longer a person has reflux, the higher the possibility that they’ll develop Barrett’s. These changes in the esophagus are one step closer to getting esophageal cancer one of the fastest growing cancers in the United States.

About 30 percent of esophageal cancers can be linked to GERD, according to the American Cancer Society. Because of increased fat consumption and obesity, the number of Americans with reflux is increasing, leading to a rise in esophageal cancer.

For 2009, the National Cancer Institute estimates 16,470 new cases of esophageal cancer and 14,530 deaths due to esophageal cancer in the United States. Esophageal cancer has such a high mortality because it is often diagnosed late.

If caught early, however, the cancer can be treated and removed before it spreads. For this reason, people with a precancerous condition such as Barrett’s esophagus require close medical follow-up.

Stomach Upset Loss Of Appetite And Weight Loss

Cancer can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation. Anxiety and lack of sleep can also upset the digestive system.

It can be more difficult to eat a healthy diet as these symptoms occur, setting up a vicious cycle. As women avoid certain foods because of stomach upset, the digestive system may lack the fiber and nutrients it needs to function optimally.

Over time, women may lose their appetite and have difficulty taking in the calories they need. Not eating regularly may cause significant weight loss and nutritional imbalances.

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Changes To Your Breasts

Breast cancer usually starts in one breast. According to the American Cancer Society, the most common sign of breast cancer is a newly formed mass or lump in your breast.

The mass or lump is usually irregularly shaped and painless. However, some cancerous masses can be painful and round in shape. This is why any lump or mass ought to be screened for cancer.

Invasive ductal carcinoma causes lumps and bumps in the breasts. This is a type of breast cancer that forms inside the milk ducts.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, invasive ductal carcinoma is the most common type of breast cancer. It makes up about 80 percent of all diagnoses. Its also more likely to spread to other areas of the body.

Invasive lobular carcinoma can cause breast thickening. This type of breast cancer starts in the glands that produce breast milk. The Cleveland Clinic estimates that up to 15 percent of all breast cancers are invasive lobular carcinomas.

You may notice your breasts have changed color or size. They may also be red or swollen from the cancerous tumor. While breast cancers themselves arent usually painful, the resulting swelling can cause breast pain. The cancer lumps may still be painful in some cases, though.

With breast cancer, your nipples may also undergo some noticeable changes.

Is Heartburn/acid Reflux A Sign Of Cancer

Medically reviewed by Peter C. Enzinger, MD

Most of us are familiar with the burning feeling in the chest associated with heartburn, a common ailment caused by acid regurgitation into the esophagus. For most people, heartburn is an occasional nuisance, occurring perhaps after having a large meal or eating rich, fatty foods. But for some people heartburn can be a regular occurrence, and thats when the issue may merit a closer look from your health care professional.

Heartburn, also called acid reflux, can progress to a condition called gastroesophageal reflux disease . The symptoms of GERD include frequent heartburn , nausea, pain in the chest or upper abdomen, vomiting, problems swallowing, bad breath, or respiratory problems.

When heartburn becomes GERD, it increases the risk of Barretts esophagus, a condition in which cells lining the esophagus change to adapt to the chronic inflammation caused by acid reflux. It can be a precursor for a type of esophageal cancer called adenocarcinoma. While rare, its incidence is increasing rapidly in the United States. Adenocarcinoma of the esophagus is most frequent in middle-aged and older white men, especially those who are overweight.

If you have heartburn two or more times a week, tell your doctor and ask about potentially seeing a specialist. Esophageal cancer and potential precursors like Barretts esophagus can be found early through an endoscopy, in which a doctor uses a scope to look inside the throat and stomach.

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If You Take Ranitidine

Questions remain about how much NDMA is in ranitidine and if itâs as widespread as Valisure claims, but daily users do have cause for concern. The EPA considers NDMA a probable human carcinogen, since animal studies have found that prolonged exposure led to tumors in the liver, lungs, and elsewhere.

âThe damage would be less if youâre an occasional user, but itâs cumulative,â says Light.

Valisure is working with researchers at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center to dig deeper into the risks. They hope to be able to pinpoint which types of cancer are linked to NDMA soon, so people whoâve been taking ranitidine for years will know what to monitor with their doctors.

Beyond the cancer worries, NDMA poses other dangers. In animals and humans, exposure has led to liver damage and, in larger amounts, even death. And thereâs reason to suspect the substance can harm a human fetus: When pregnant mice were fed NDMA in the lab, their babies were either born dead or died shortly after birth.

While the FDA hasnât yet issued a recall for any version of ranitidine, it says users have options. âPeople taking OTC ranitidine could consider using other OTC medicines approved for their condition. There are multiple drugs on the market that are approved for the same or similar uses as ranitidine,â the agency says in a statement. If you take a prescription version, talk to your doctor before discontinuing it. There are also several prescription options.

Additional Tools For Diagnosing Advanced Breast Cancer

The additional tools below are often used specifically for diagnosing advanced cancer:

Sentinel lymph node biopsy: This procedure removes sentinel lymph node cells during surgery for examination. When breast cancer spreads, it often heads first to the lymph nodes.

Chest X-ray: This detailed image of the chest may help doctors see whether cancer has spread to the bones.

Computed tomography scan: Also known as a CAT scan, this procedure takes detailed pictures of internal areas of the body using a computer linked to an X-ray machine. A dye may be used to help the organs show up more clearly in the images.

Bone scan: This procedure looks for bone metastasis, or cancer cells that have spread to the bone. A small amount of radioactive material is injected into the blood, then detected with a scanner.

Positron emission tomography scan: A PET scan is a detailed imaging tool that uses a radioactive drug, known as a tracer, to search for cancer cells within your body.

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Symptoms Of Secondary Breast Cancer

Secondary breast cancer means that a cancer that began in the breast has spread to another part of the body. Secondary cancer can also be called advanced or metastatic cancer.

It might not mean that you have secondary breast cancer if you have the symptoms described below. They can be caused by other conditions.

Is Heartburn An Indication Of Cancer

Categories:Cancer Risk,Oral, Head and Neck Cancer,Gastrointestinal Cancers

It’s impossible to imagine just how bad heartburn really is until you’ve actually experienced it firsthand. It can be so painful that people go to the emergency room because they’re afraid they’re having a heart attack. Some people struggle with heartburn nearly every day, while others only experience it once in a great while. It’s estimated that heartburn strikes 15 million Americans daily. The number one concern most people after they’ve finally gotten some relief from the pain is what was the cause of the heartburn.

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For Those Who Have Gerd The Best Way To Prevent Cancer Is To See A Doctor And Get Treated Early On Before Further Damage To The Esophagus Develops

Whether you just have occasional heartburn or are already under a doctor’s care, you can decrease your chance of developing esophageal cancer by doing the following:

• Do not start using tobacco products. If you currently do, quit.
• Do not drink large amounts of alcohol.
• If you are overweight or obese, lose weight.
• Eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, especially raw ones.
• If you have acid reflux or GERD, see your doctor and get it properly treated.
• If you have already been diagnosed with Barrett’s esophagus, talk to your doctor about getting regular cancer screenings.

Immune And Excretory Systems

In the later stages of breast cancer, the tumors have spread to other lymph nodes. The underarms are some of the first affected areas. This is because of how close they are to the breasts. You may feel tenderness and swelling under your arms.

Other lymph nodes can become affected because of the lymphatic system. While this system is usually responsible for transmitting healthy lymph throughout the body, it can also spread cancer tumors.

Tumors may spread through the lymphatic system to the lungs and liver. If the lungs are affected, you might experience:

• chronic cough

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Balancing Cancer Treatments Side Effects Against The Risk Of Cancers Return

Five years of endocrine therapy or 10? As breast cancer patients weigh the benefits of long-term treatment, a new study might help.

Life after breast cancer is, in many ways, about balance.

Depending on the type of cancer, therapy can cause side effects such as joint pain, trouble sleeping, sexual dysfunction and heartburn. Some women find these side effects so difficult that they discontinue treatment.

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And theres the constant worry: What if the cancer comes back? Am I doing all I can to prevent that?

A new study involving nearly 63,000 women found that for those with estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer, a substantial risk of cancer returning or spreading persisted long after completing five years of endocrine therapy.

Anne Grofvert was midway through a five-year course of tamoxifen, a daily pill designed to block estrogens ability to fuel breast cancer. She had completed surgery and radiation, and she was looking forward to less-frequent checkups with her oncologist.

Then she discovered a new breast cancer, unrelated to the first one. After more surgery, chemotherapy and radiation, her doctor recommended a different type of endocrine therapy, an aromatase inhibitor, combined with a monthly shot to shut down her ovaries. The shot puts her into menopause while the aromatase inhibitor blocks any remaining traces of estrogen.

How Long Do Side Effects Last

Remember that the type of radiation side effects you might have depends on the prescribed dose and schedule. Most side effects go away within a few months of ending treatment. Some side effects may continue after treatment ends because it takes time for the healthy cells to recover from radiation.

Side effects might limit your ability to do some things. What you can do will depend on how you feel. Some patients are able to go to work or enjoy leisure activities while they get radiation therapy. Others find they need more rest than usual and cant do as much. If you have side effects that are bothersome and affecting your daily activities or health, the doctor may stop your treatments for a while, change the schedule, or change the type of treatment youre getting. Tell your cancer care team about any side affects you notice so they can help you with them.

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Gerd Does Not Mean Cancer

Don’t assume that just because you have GERD that you’ll develop esophageal cancer. There is only a 10% chance of that happening. Having GERD does mean you want to be diligent about paying attention to your body and any possible signs it may be developing esophageal cancer.

Early signs of esophageal cancer include:

• More frequent and intense bouts of heartburn
• A constant heat/pain/pressure behind your sternum or in your throat
• Vomiting
• Unexplained weight loss
• Your voice growing more hoarse

While esophageal adenocarcinoma is the most common type of cancer that’s related to heartburn, another concern individuals who suffer from chronic heartburn worry about is squamous cell carcinoma which usually develops in the middle and upper sections of the esophagus. This form of esophagus cancer is most commonly seen in people who are between 60 and 70 years old.

The biggest problem with squamous cell carcinoma is that it often goes undiagnosed until the cancer has progressed quite far, making treatment difficult.

Symptoms of squamous cell carcinoma include:

• The voice changing
• Speaking and swallowing becomes difficult
• Heartburn grows even more intense and more frequent
• Constant coughing
• Burning chest pain that feels like an even more intense heartburn than you experienced before

If Youre Getting Radiation Therapy To The Brain

People with brain tumors often get stereotactic radiosurgery if the cancer is in only one or a few sites in the brain. Side effects depend on where the radiation is aimed. Some side effects might show up quickly, but others might not show up until 1 to 2 years after treatment. Talk with your radiation oncologist about what to watch for and when to call your doctor.

If the cancer is in many areas, sometimes the whole brain is treated with radiation. The side effects of whole brain radiation therapy may not be noticeable until a few weeks after treatment begins.

Radiation to the brain can cause these short-term side effects:

• Headaches
• Trouble with memory and speech
• Seizures

Some of these side effects can happen because radiation has caused the brain to swell. Medicines are usually given to prevent brain swelling, but its important to let your cancer care team know about headaches or any other symptoms. Treatment can affect each person differently, and you may not have these particular side effects.

Radiation to the brain can also have side effects that show up later usually from 6 months to many years after treatment ends. These delayed effects can include serious problems such as memory loss, stroke-like symptoms, and poor brain function. You may also have an increased risk of having another tumor in the area, although this is not common.

Talk with your cancer care team about what to expect from your specific treatment plan.

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