Smoking and HIV

Posted by Tom Thayer in Health, News

Jan
26

Cigarette smoking, not HIV disease–specific factors, is the most important risk factor for lung cancer in people living with HIV, according to a new paper in the British Journal of Cancer reported by aidsmap.

This study calls into question the results of other papers suggesting that histories of low CD4 cell counts, uncontrolled viral loads and AIDS-related lung disease are also major risk factors for lung cancer.

There was no evidence that an AIDS diagnosis with or without pulmonary involvement was associated with lung cancer, the aidsmap report notes. Similarly, neither a history of immune deficiency nor a limited use of antiretroviral therapy was found to increase the risk of lung cancer.

“Our carefully matched case-controlled study…suggests no evidence for a significant effect of HIV-related immunodeficiency on lung cancer risk in this high-risk population,” the investigators wrote. “None of the classic markers or HIV-related immunodeficiency, including low CD4 cell counts, high viral load nor history of AIDS or AIDS-related pulmonary disease, showed any clear association with lung cancer.”

So if you’re a smoker, do your best to cut back if you can’t stop. Take care of yourself, we care about your health.

Tom Thayer

source: http://www.poz.com/articles/hiv_smoking_cancer_761_21783.shtml