Cancer Anemia Treatment May Raise Deaths

Treatments that reduce anemia in people with cancer also may increase deaths, a new study finds. The study combined the numbers from 53 cancer studies. They included nearly 14,000 people. Some people were given a synthetic hormone called erythropoietin (EPO). This hormone stimulates the body to make more red blood cells. Some people with cancer don’t have enough red cells. This is a form of anemia. Taking EPO can reduce anemia. People may feel less tired and need fewer blood transfusions. But the new study found that people taking EPO had a 17% increased risk of death during the study. This means that 117 people taking EPO died for every 100 deaths among people who didn’t take it.