1. < Blood Cancers & Disorders

CPAP (Phillips recall) and Cancer

Posted by John R A @johnra, Jun 17, 2021

I have recently learned that the manufacturer of the Dreamweaver CPAP (Phillips) is recalling these machines. They have evidence that the machines are emitting gasses and particles that may cause cancer. I have been using one of these machines for almost five years, and just over a year ago I was diagnosed with CEL. I would be interested to hear if other CEL patients (or other leukemias) are CPAP users?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Blood Cancers & Disorders Support Group.

Mentor
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Nov 5, 2021
In reply to @lanceea67 "I have been using a Phillips cpap for at least 9 years. It is a REMstar..." + (show)
@lanceea67

I have been using a Phillips cpap for at least 9 years. It is a REMstar PRO which showed was not a part of the recall, but the serial numbers for it shows that it is on recall list. I have not had any respiratory difficulties. What concerns me is the dampener being a carcinogen. Any information on the possibility of developing cancer. What to be alert of. If should have any diagnostic tests performed? Beg forgiveness if have posted in incorrect location. Thank You

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Hello @lanceea67, Welcome to Connect. We are patients like you and not really qualified to discuss possibiities of developing cancer due to using one of the recalled devices. It would be a great question for your sleep medicine doctor. I replaced my Dreamstation CPAP that I had been using for a couple of years when the recall was announced.

Have you registered your CPAP for the recall or discussed possible actions or testing with your doctor?

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1 reply
lanceea67 | @lanceea67 | Nov 5, 2021
In reply to @johnbishop "Hello @lanceea67, Welcome to Connect. We are patients like you and not really qualified to discuss..." + (show)
@johnbishop

Hello @lanceea67, Welcome to Connect. We are patients like you and not really qualified to discuss possibiities of developing cancer due to using one of the recalled devices. It would be a great question for your sleep medicine doctor. I replaced my Dreamstation CPAP that I had been using for a couple of years when the recall was announced.

Have you registered your CPAP for the recall or discussed possible actions or testing with your doctor?

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Hi John, thank you for your response. Yes I have registered my cpap. I will contact my Primary Care and pose questions to him. Given that and perusing Google I can learn much more. Thank you for your response

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muffy | @muffy | Nov 20, 2021

I used a recalled Philips CPAP for 5 years (am no longer using that brand) from 2015 to 2020 every single night. I was diagnosed with lung cancer (non smoker) 2 1/2 years later at the age of 69. Luckily, due to pneumonia (and a very astute doctor), my lung cancer was caught and treated early. My goal is to raise awareness in other CPAP users so they can be screened EARLY for lung cancer or any other cancer that may have been caused by using the machine (I am not saying that using the machine caused the cancer, but may have contributed). I have registered with the Philips website and also indicated my lung cancer. I am not looking for compensation, just comprehensive testing for others who used this machine.

REPLY
twilliams88 | @twilliams88 | Nov 22, 2021
In reply to @grandpabob "Hello @johnra – John, I see this is your first post. Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect,..." + (show)
@grandpabob

Hello @johnra – John, I see this is your first post.
Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect, an online community where people can share experiences and ask each other questions about any health issue.
We are not medical professionals who can offer medical advice.

I see the recall by Phillips you refer to is due to the filter media that has been used which could cause some health issues.
I would expect that there are many people who use CPAP machines that have a variety of illnesses, where the CPAP would not be relevant cause in any way. (not dismissing that it could not be however)
Being a cancer survivor myself, I can understand why you are seeking a reason for your diagnosis. I know for me, I ask myself quite often, why did this happen to me? I usually end at things just happen in most cases.

Are you on a particular treatment for CEL?
How are you feeling?

Stay safe,
Bob

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I am 54 and have never smoked or used any drugs. I have worked in an automotive factory for 20 years as an engineer. I have used my CPAP machine for 5 years and at the age of 50 was diagnosed with CLL.

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1 reply
Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Nov 24, 2021
In reply to @twilliams88 "I am 54 and have never smoked or used any drugs. I have worked in an..." + (show)
@twilliams88

I am 54 and have never smoked or used any drugs. I have worked in an automotive factory for 20 years as an engineer. I have used my CPAP machine for 5 years and at the age of 50 was diagnosed with CLL.

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Hi @twilliams88, welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. You may wish to connect with others talking about CLL in the Blood Cancers & Disorders group here: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/blood-cancers-disorders/

Your experiences would be welcome here:
– CLL – newly diagnosed https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/cll-newly-diagnosed/

Are you still using a CPAP machine? Have you switched manufacturers?

REPLY
xenosfrog | @xenosfrog | Dec 6, 2021

Hi. I have been using a Philips System One CPAP for about 12 years and just had blood tests indicating possible light chain amyloidosis, multiple myeloma, or similar bone marrow disorder. Just starting the diagnosis path, but could have heart damage from LA amyloids.

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xenosfrog | @xenosfrog | Dec 6, 2021
In reply to @serichardson "Hello, my husband has been using a cpap machine for more than 20 years with his..." + (show)
@serichardson

Hello, my husband has been using a cpap machine for more than 20 years with his most recent machine one of the Philips recalled models. He also has RA and has been sick for the last 5 years with various symptoms; extreme fatigue, extreme dizziness, difficulty breathing, cough, weakness, bowel problem and loss of weight (only 135 lbs now). No one has been able to help. We have been trying to get a replacement machine since January unsuccessfully. We finally have an appointment in 2 weeks with a pulmonologist/sleep apnea specialist. Can anyone suggest questions we should ask during our appointment?

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You might see a hematologist.

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kathyfont | @kathyfont | May 19, 2022

My brother was diagnosed with very large blood cells after 1 yr now he has cancer in the bone marrow & has to get transfusions he has been.using the Cpap from
Phillips Respironics many years
I'm so worried bc his. Dr said that he has 2/4 yrs to live what can my brother do? Does anyone have any idea? He has been using.cpaps. Before 2005
Thank you

REPLY
1 reply
Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | May 19, 2022
In reply to @kathyfont "My brother was diagnosed with very large blood cells after 1 yr now he has cancer..." + (show)
@kathyfont

My brother was diagnosed with very large blood cells after 1 yr now he has cancer in the bone marrow & has to get transfusions he has been.using the Cpap from
Phillips Respironics many years
I'm so worried bc his. Dr said that he has 2/4 yrs to live what can my brother do? Does anyone have any idea? He has been using.cpaps. Before 2005
Thank you

Jump to this post

Hi @kathyfont, I can see you are very concerned for your brother. We have several members in the Blood Cancer group who are living well with cancer. I can help connect you with other caregivers and patients with a similar diagnosis and treatments.

What type of cancer does your brother have? What treatments is he having?

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1 reply
kathyfont | @kathyfont | May 19, 2022
In reply to @colleenyoung "Hi @kathyfont, I can see you are very concerned for your brother. We have several members..." + (show)
@colleenyoung

Hi @kathyfont, I can see you are very concerned for your brother. We have several members in the Blood Cancer group who are living well with cancer. I can help connect you with other caregivers and patients with a similar diagnosis and treatments.

What type of cancer does your brother have? What treatments is he having?

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Thank you for getting back to me
he has very large blood cells! Cancer in the bone marrow The kind of treatment he’s getting is he’s on a cancer drug! also if theBlood count goes below eight then he has to get blood transfusion. He got the first transfusion last week and was doing very well with it. Until his doctor did not read the transfusion results and told him you got 2 to 4 years to live. And then the nurse corrected the doctor by saying that is before you read the transfusion results! Now my brother has doubts & is very upset is there anything else he can do

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