Re: RESEARCH - Cancer in RA: occurrence, mortality, and associated factors in a

[Guest guest]

I was diagnosed with RA in August of 2001, and then with breast cancer in

February of 2002. My RA symptoms had started in February of 2001. My cancer was

caught very, very early, but of course I don't know when it actually started. It

was not detected on my 2001 mammogram, but was in 2002.

I have always wondered if there was some correlation between the RA and the

cancer.

Sue

> CONCLUSIONS: The overall incidence and mortality of cancer in RA is

> not greater than the expected, although there is an increased risk of

> hematopoietic and lung cancers in RA patients compared with the

> general population. Hemoglobin and leukocyte counts may help to

> identify RA patients at risk for cancer.