10 Jul HORMONE-BLOCKING PROSTATE CANCER COULD LEAD TO ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE
An analysis from University of Pennsylvania researches of data from a study of 154,000 older patients over an eight year period indicates that patients who are given hormone-blocking prostate cancer treatment have an increased risk of Alzheimer’s Disease. Although the results are not proof, the analysis indicated that those who had the treatment had a 13% chance of developing Alzheimer’s Disease vs. a 9% chance of those who chose no therapy. Furthermore, the risk for dementia from strokes for those who had the treatment was 22% compared to 16% for those who did not.
The study focused on men in their 70s with advanced prostate cancer. The hormone-blocking treatment usually involves drug injections or implants to reduce prostate cancer growth. Hormone treatment also increases risk for depression and heart disease which (due to decreased blood flow) also increases risk for dementia.
Quality of life issues may need to be discussed with patients before having the hormone-blocking treatment due to the increased risk of Alzheimer’s Disease and other forms of dementia.
If you would like to join our walk team, (“Michael’s Marchers”) for the Walk to End Alzheimer’s which will be held on October 5, 2019 at Dallas City Hall, 1500 Marilla Street, Dallas, Texas 75207, then please click here.
If interested in learning more, consider attending our next free “Estate Planning Essentials” Workshop by calling us at (214) 720-0102 or signing up by clicking here.