Just wondering if I am an exception or if it means something, but I've realized that over the past 5 years, I probably gotten a gotten only once or twice. Yet my son, daughter and my wife catch cold 2 to 3 times a year every year and we are all under the same roof.
I'd expect cancer to weaken my immune system and that I'd be having colds more often than my family does but somehow its the opposite. Wondering what mechanism might be at play that makes me, an advanced cancer patient under treatment, get sick less often that 3 healthy people.
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Mascouche
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I have not had a cold since my diagnosis (November 2023)… until this last Labor Day. I got a ridiculous head cold with lots of nose blowing and congestion. Then it went away in under a week, but came back as bronchitis, with a persistent hacking cough (For nearly a month). I’m just getting over that.
Definitely less. Although counterintuitive, I ascribe it to the combination of testosterone suppression and just getting older. Both have changed my immune response in general. Sick less often since I hit my fifties, and even less since diagnosis.
I've noticed the same thing with my husband who has not been touched with a cold since he was diagnosed nearly 4 years ago - this despite the fact that our school aged daughter has brought home several nasty bugs which have really wiped me out....
My new metric is days since last infection (days since we have had an accident for comparison). Just told a few days ago first and only chemo likely wiped out immune system two years ago. When I begged for more chemo, oncologist said infection will kill you before cancer. After having two hospitalizations with pneumonia (a deadly one acquired from the hospital during a routine procedure) and two cases of RSV in last two years six months apart, I believe her. One RSV occurred just three days after getting the vaccine. My answer to infection, wear an N95 mask in public places if you are immunocompromised. Haven’t had an issue in half a year now and my goal is to stay away from the hospital completely for years as it’s full of sick people. Yeah I’m as tough as anyone out there but infections carried from other people are my Achilles Heel. Don’t let a contractor come in without you being masked up if you are susceptible!
I see that, aside of those whose immune system was weakened by chemo, I am far from alone in getting way fewer colds after diagnostic.
Does anyone have a theory as to why that might be? Here are 3 that have crossed by mind but I have no clue if any of those 3 is close to the truth.
Is it because our immune system is already on high alert due to cancer and it nips colds viruses in the bud as soon as encountered?
Or, to the contrary, is our immune system weakened enough from fighting cancer that it does not put up enough of a fight for cold symptoms to be perceptible (assuming for example that a runny nose is not due to the virus itself but to our immune system trying to flush out the virus)?
Or do cold viruses fail to take hold on bodies that have cancerous cells?
Apart from cancer, I have always had a good immune system, last year, after my third or fourth docetaxel session, my wife and the kid got the flu, we have always slept in the same bed and been together as usual. I did not get it, nor a cold. Maybe it's because of one of the supplements I take, but it seemed like docetaxel did not touch my immune system at all 🤷♂️
My children are adults but still at home. Everybody passes viruses around where they work so when they come home, they end up infecting my wife as well but not me for whatever reason
Interesting observation. Although my PC wasn't advanced, aside from sepsis from a biopsy, I've avoided the colds, too. I had 6 months of Eligard and 45 sessions of RT. I am around a lot of carriers of infection (kids) also. Diagnosed in 2023.
Older people who aren’t outright immunocompromised or in poor health supposedly get colds and other viruses less often, generally due to immunity buildup. Maybe! . But many of us also just become less relentlessly social.
When I was young being in (and out of) school, hanging out with friends and not paying much attention to hygiene was standard. Later I became a musician, went to clubs a lot when I wasn’t performing . I later worked in restaurants, in schools, volunteered in hospitals and other institutions. Played a lot of indoor sports in winter. All while maintaining robust dating life accompanied by some very flexible morals. I got colds probably 3 or 4 times a year.
The pandemic permanently altered social life for a lot of us too obviously.
Getting older for me may have resulted in increased immunity, but I also believe both my previous lifestyle and testosterone itself were truly double edged swords in quite a number of ways.
Since I retired 5 years ago from an office / engineering lab environment, I've maybe had one or two colds that entire time. I did get covid a couple years ago, but got over it quickly (no vaxes either, but that's a whole different discussion).
I haven't been sick since then, and it's over 2 years now. We're still quite social, but probably take personal hygiene more seriously. I'm over 11 years now since my G9 dx and treatments, and feeling quite blessed!
The only people I know who had covid more than once had been vaccinated. There is some discussion about the impact of the vax + boosters sequence affecting the robustness of the immune system responses. Again, that's a whole different discussion, but overall it is really interesting how seldom some of us catch colds now!
Perplexity.Ai has nothing solid as to why several of us appear to catch fewer colds concrete but a few ideas about this.
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Heightened Immune Response
Some cancer treatments may temporarily boost certain aspects of immune function, potentially providing enhanced protection against common infections like colds. The immune system may be in a more activated state overall while fighting the cancer.
Increased Health Awareness
After a cancer diagnosis, patients often become more attentive to their health and may be more likely to notice even minor symptoms. This heightened awareness could lead to early intervention for potential infections.
Cytokine Effects
Some prostate cancer treatments can affect levels of cytokines in the body, which play a role in immune responses. These changes might inadvertently provide some protection against common viral infections.
Hormonal Influences
Androgen deprivation therapy, a common treatment for prostate cancer, alters hormone levels in the body. These hormonal changes could potentially have indirect effects on immune function
Mascouche, speaking only from personal experience, I don’t believe having PCa has anything to do with catching more or fewer colds. I had undetected PCa for at least 5 years before starting any treatments. Never been healthier and cold free. But, what I will say is that since starting ADT (Orgovyx) in Feb 24, I’ve had at least three significant colds that seem to last forever. I think lowering one’s testosterone adversely affects one’s immune system. Just my opinion.
I notice this too. I was the "snotty kid" several times a year before, but I barely get sick since my diagnosis and chemo. This is despite my bloods showing low immune markers.
I think a lot of it has to do with avoiding simple sugar since my diagnosis (or taking it only in moderation as an occasional treat). Sugar depresses your immune system. My taking a tablespoon of black cumin seed oil daily for the past two years may be a factor as well.
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