The Osteoporosis Drugs That Can Double Your Risk of Oesophageal Cancer - Part one

This post applies specifically to those who are taking a bisphosphonate osteoporosis drug such as Fosamax, Boniva, Actonel, and others.

I REALLY hope that you never have to take these drugs. Because the more biphosphonates are researched, the worse results appear. New evidence reveals significant risk of potential life-threatening danger.

Big numbers...bad news

Have you ever wondered about those specific instructions that tell bisphosphonate users to drink a full glass of water and not lie down for 30 minutes after taking the drug?

Here's why...

If the drug isn't swallowed properly, it can irritate the oesophagus. If that happens too often, it can cause oesophagitis — inflammation of the oesophagus. According to Fosamax prescribing instructions, oesophageal ulcers and oesophageal erosions "occasionally with bleeding" may also occur.

So just getting this pill down your gullet is very serious business. But as bad as those side effects are, the long- range potential for damage with oesophagitis is MUCH worse.

A few years ago, Danish researchers reviewed more than 11,000 medical records and found that patients with oesophagitis were significantly more likely to develop oesophageal cancer - compelling evidence indeed.

Recognizing the importance of this potential link, a team of UK researchers examined medical records for more than 78,000 patients. As reported in the British Medical Journal (BMJ), the UK team found that extended bisphosphonate use (about five years) nearly DOUBLED the risk of oesophageal cancer.

This is pretty horrifying when you consider that more than 20 million people have used Fosamax since it was introduced in the 90s. And that's just one brand of this very popular class of drugs.

I hope you'll share this e-mail with anyone you know who might be using or thinking about using a bisphosphonate drug for osteoporosis. Most importantly, they should know that once they've successfully swallowed their pills, that's when other serious dangers loom — especially when the drug is taken for several years.

So the pertinent question is - how can we prevent osteoporosis, and avoid taking these potentially dangerous drugs? I will discuss what we can do tomorrow...

To your abundant health,

Dr Ike
Functional Health Expert and Health Coach

References:

"Exposure to Oral Bisphosphonates and Risk of Esophageal Cancer" Journal of the American Medical Association, Vol. 304, No. 6, 8/11/10, jama.ama-assn.org

"Oral bisphosphonates and risk of cancer of oesophagus, stomach, and colorectum: case-control analysis within a UK primary care cohort" British Medical Journal, Vol. 341, No. 4444, 9/2/10, bmj.com

"Fosamax Allegedly Connected with Esophageal Cancer, Bone Breaks" Drug Alert, 9/9/10, drugalert.org