Unknown unknowns: Just when we thought... - Atrial Fibrillati...

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Unknown unknowns

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Just when we thought we had put that one to bed, up pops the Sun with its story about warfarin and cancer. Thanks to MarkS for highlighting this.

It refers to a paper from Norway published in JAMA. The link below includes the information to access the original paper.

.sciencedaily.com/releases/2...

If the findings stand up to scrutiny, it might alter current practice in AF management.

However claims that cancer rates in patients on Warfarin are reduced by up to 60% seem outlandish.

Perhaps the statisticians amongst us could comment on what seem to be obvious flaws in the design of the study.

I would think it very unlikely these claims can be substantiated.

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17 Replies

thesun.co.uk/news/4856957/d...

Could someone explain to me why I can't create an active link, as above.

If anybody could post a link to the full text of the original publication by the Norwegian team,, rather than an abstract, that would be great.

It was MarkS who found the story, thank you.

seasider18 profile image
seasider18 in reply to

I posted this when the story appeared earlier:

I have said previously that a woman I worked with from 1970 to 1980 was taking Warfarin after heart surgery and she said that her consultant at St Helier hospital in Morden had told her that no patient of his on Warfarin had ever developed cancer. Due to that even after her heart surgery she continued to be a heavy smoker ! Also local legend was that where we worked in Garth Road in Morden was know as Cancer Alley as it was said there was a high incidence of female breast cancers that was put down to the electricity pylons in that area.

It is also said to some degree that aspirin prevents certain forms of cancer.

in reply to seasider18

Thank you Seasider, I should have looked back more carefully. Your anecdote about the lady who carried on smoking made me smile.

seasider18 profile image
seasider18 in reply to

There has also been discussion on warfarin and dementia. Another friend there was taking Warfarin for deep vein thrombosis and always felt cold and had icy cold hands. We kept in touch after the company closed and I noticed that he had increasing memory problems then I didn’t hear from him for a very long time until one evening when he phoned and said that I was not his daughter when I answered. I said that he must have dialled the wrong number although we are in different parts of the country. He insisted that it was the number he always used and said he had taken it from his book. He then checked two other books where he said my number was against his daughters name in each.

We then had a rather rambling conversation and after it I found his daughters number on line. I phoned him back and said that I had Caroline’s number for him. Why do I want that he said as I have it in my book and phone her two or three times a week. I have not heard from him since.

MarkS profile image
MarkS

Hi Badger,

Was this the article you wanted?

medscape.com/viewarticle/88...

Mark

in reply to MarkS

Hi Mark that is very helpful. Unfortunately the full text of the article seems now to be available to subscribers.

Interesting that low dose Warfarin may have antitumour activity.

MarkS profile image
MarkS in reply to

Try this link:

jamanetwork.com/journals/ja...

You may be able to gt the full text if you get a free subscription.

in reply to MarkS

Thanks Mark I will give it a go.

Bagrat profile image
Bagrat

Well I've been on warfarin for over 4 years and am one of the possibly 40+% who did not get the benefit!! All well though.

in reply to Bagrat

Sorry to hear that, but glad you are well. I suppose further research in the future might suggest that continuing warfarin in your situation might be beneficial.

opal11uk profile image
opal11uk

I started n Warfarin in the year 2000 and had breast cancer in 2008

in reply to opal11uk

I'm sorry to hear that and hope you are well.

opal11uk profile image
opal11uk

yes, thankfully.

BobD profile image
BobDVolunteer

I have been on warfarin since 2004 but had prostate cancer in 2010. Two things. They had been pretty sure I had it for some years but biopsies failed to find it and by the time they did it had spread to some other bits and pieces. Surgery. radiotherapy and hormones got rid of it so quite possibly helped by warfarin. Interesting that others have had cancers but survived so maybe worth it. For sure I do not intend to stop even though I no longer have AF.

in reply to BobD

Glad to hear the treatment worked Bob.

And thank you for all your informative and supportive posts on the site.

BobD profile image
BobDVolunteer in reply to

I think a positive attitude and a sense of humour is important in these matters Badger. I tell people that the doctors were not keen on operating as they said it would make me omnipotent and incompetent. At least that is what I think they said. May need a new hearing aid?

Well that certainly made us both laugh! Thank you.

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