People infected with the aids virus and who smoke are ten times more likely to die from lung cancer than their illness, according to results of a study published in the medical journal Jama Internal Medicine. However, the rate of smoking is particularly worrying among this population. In fact, more than 40% of people affected by HIV in the United States are smokers, for 15% of the entire American adult population.
The researchers set up an algorithm to identify the risk of developing lung cancer for people living with HIV, depending on whether they smoked, were former smokers or had never used tobacco.
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Lung cancer, a leading cause of death among people with HIV
The results of the study showed that 10% of all patients treated with antiretrovirals, whether they smoke or not, or nearly 6,000 people, will die from lung cancer.
People living with HIV have a longer life expectancy with antiretroviral therapy, but smoking combined with HIV infection. HIV increases the risk of developing lung cancer. The study reveals that 25% of HIV-positive smokers treated with antiretrovirals will die of lung cancer. For those who give up smoking before age 40, only 6% will die of it.
“This type of cancer is now one of the leading causes of death among people living with HIV while almost all of these deaths could be prevented,” explains Dr Rochelle Walensky, head of the infectious diseases department at Massachusetts General Hospital, co-authors of this study.
“Smoking tobacco and being HIV positive is a particularly harmful combination when it comes to lung cancer“.
Prevent the sick
“Clinicians caring for people living with HIV should offer behavioral and pharmacological treatments for smoking. Lung cancer is now a cause of death in these people, but quitting smoking can significantly reduce the risk. prevention of lung cancer, should be a priority in the comprehensive care of these patients, “concludes Krishna P. Reddy.
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