A large international study of more than 23,000 people found that some everyday medications may influence how well breast cancer treatments work. Researchers looked at common drugs used for heartburn, blood pressure, and cholesterol and discovered that several may affect treatment results and side effects.
Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), often used for heartburn or indigestion, were linked to poorer survival rates and a 36% higher risk of serious treatment-related side effects. Experts think PPIs might interfere with the immune system or change how the body absorbs and processes cancer drugs. The findings show that even routine medications can have a major impact on cancer care.
Other heart medications — including beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors, and calcium-channel blockers — were tied to more side effects but didn’t appear to affect survival. On the other hand, drugs like statins and metformin showed no negative effects, suggesting they’re safe to use during treatment. Experts say patients should always review all their medications with their doctors during cancer care to help reduce risks and improve outcomes.
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