CPAP (Phillips recall) and Cancer

@guptaguma, it is also important to keep in mind that CPAP machines save lives. Is your husband using a model that was recalled? See the list in this article
https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/philips-cpap-recall-breaking-news-update-4880192/
Here is further information from the manufacturer if you have one of these devices https://www.usa.philips.com/healthcare/e/sleep/communications/src-update

What type of lymphoma does your husband have? Is he currently in treatment?

My husband has been using a Philips CPAP for about 20yrs, it was last replaced about 7yrs ago. I just happened to be looking through my Mayo email and came across this article.
He is going to stop in to his doctors office tomorrow and see what he should do.
He recently had a Thyroid scan done which showed 3 nodules, they said they were to small to need treatment and to check back in a year.
Now I’m wondering if there is any connection to the use of the CPAP.
I’m glad I happened to read the article or we would not have known about it.
Thank you.

@johnra Hello, I have used the Dreamstation for about 3 yrs and have a small one for travel. Just found out about this issue tonight when I saw a post on Facebook. Upset that my Dr did not contact me. Have not received a notice from Philips either. Thank you for starting this thread btw. @emyliander in December of 2019, my ENT found a very enlarged Thyroid nodule, looked very bad. Went to MD Anderson and had biopsy done and it was non cancerous. I had another biopsy done this past April, and again non cancerous. It is very concerning. I am glad I found this thread. Thanks again @johnra

Hi @snowie, Welcome to Connect. I also have had a Dreamstation CPAP and a Dreamstation Go CPAP machine for a couple of years. I think this came out very quickly and there are over 3.5 million CPAP and BiPAP users affected in the United States which is the only country currently affected by the recall. My Mayo doctors were not aware either and the doctors are really not your primary point of contact for a CPAP machine unless they are the ones that sold it to you. I think patients reporting the recall to them raised the awareness and now I have received several letters about the recall from Mayo Clinic since I purchased my original Dreamstation from the Mayo Clinic Store. I registered both of my CPAPs with the Philip's recall site and have not heard back from Philips other than they acknowledged that I registered the devices for the recall. Now waiting to see what their repair/replace action plan will be.

I already went out and purchased a ResMed AirMini CPAP which I like much better than my Dreamstation Go. I did have to buy a hose adapter so that I could use a standard CPAP hose and any mask I wanted vs what it says you can use.

Happy to hear the nodules were non cancerous. Did you register your device for the recall? Here's the link in case you haven't registered yet - https://www.usa.philips.com/healthcare/e/sleep/communications/src-update

Sorry to hear this. Being an environmental driller and having drilled at foam factory I can tell you that the chemical compounds found in most foams are extremely nasty. The chemical reactions for theses foams always gives an offgas, many times carcinogenic! Consumers need be more aware. I would never put chemicals in my walls for foam insulation. Certainly wouldn't put it in a breathing apparatus!. ALL chemical compounds break down with heat, light and oxygen. At what rate is the only question. We need the use of more organic materials.
I hope you are well!

Hi @johnbishop , thank you for the address for Dreamstation CPAP, none of our medical providers knew anything about the recall, or any suggestion on who to contact. Even the place where my husband gets his supplies didn’t advise him.

I recently heard of the recall on Facebook. My thoughts are why were patients not notified by the provider/supplier of the equipment. My husband has been using the equipment since 2016 and was diagnosed with Prostate cancer and had to have his prostate removed at age 57. I am unsure if this could have been the cause, but concerns me. Would like to know more.

Hello @danamh, Welcome to Connect. That is a good question to which none of us can answer. My best guess is it is a matter of logistics - the recall is only in the United States currently and it affects over 3 and half million users (read that somewhere). How many of those users bothered to register their device with the company, how many different providers are involved and since the recall was announced on June 14th, 2021 it hasn't been that long. It definitely is a design flaw. You can read about the recall and register your device with Philips here: https://www.usa.philips.com/healthcare/e/sleep/communications/src-update

I have not medical training but I would think if it was going to cause any kind of cancer it would be lung cancer or something similar. Is your husband still using the Philip's CPAP?

He has stopped using it. We are looking at other alternatives at this point. Thank you for responding.

I had a Phillips Respironics CPAP on March 2013. On 2015, I had thyroid cancer.