drug related cancer

[Lightcutter]

I was recently put on a drug that had had a recent epidemiological (SP?) study that demonstrated a link to cancer.  I forget which type.  He said that it was absurd to think that a five year study could demonstrate such a link, that it takes longer for a drug to cause cancer.  I have to assume that he also thinks its absurd to think that it would only take five years for a drug to cause a cancer that was 'dormant' to become active (detectable).  Do you agree?

[Fernando Roque, MD]

Hi.  I have searched the literature and have not found any articles linking Niaspan with any form of cancer.  Niaspan is just niacin, one of the B vitamins, and as far as I can tell, is not cancerous in the dose given in Niaspan.  As for your other question whether a five year study can demonstrate a drug-cancer connection, it would depend partly on the study design.  The strength of the association between cause (the drug) and effect (cancer) would depend on how the evidence is gathered.  Experimental studies (e.g. randomized controlled trials) wherein test subjects are compared against matched controls offer the most compelling evidence.  On the other hand, descriptive studies which just review patient records yield a weaker evidence.  A five year randomized controlled trial would theoretically be able to demonstrate a drug cancer association if a significant proportion of the test subjects develop cancer within that period, compared to the control population.

[Lightcutter]

I am Ricky7023.  I'm sorry it took so long to get back to you.  Either the system or I screwed up.  I couldn't get back in under Ricky7023  (forgot the password, couldn't get the system to send me another).  The drug in question is Niaspan and the person saying the study couldn't have shown a link between the drug and cancer was a cariologist who wanted to proscribe the niaspan.  I don't know that any of that matters, of course.  I don't want to know if niaspan causes cancer.  I want to know if you think a five year study can demonstrate a drug - cancer connection.

[Fernando Roque, MD]

Hi.  It would really help if you can specify the name of this drug you're taking which has been linked to cancer.  I cannot give you a more specific comment without knowing what drug you're talking about.  It would also help if you can clarify the identity of the person who gave you an initial opinion ("he said that it was absurd to think that a five year study could demonstrate such a link...").  Is it your doctor or the person who wrote the article about the study?

Hope to hear from you soon.