Can Recalled CPAP Machines Cause Lung Cancer?

 Posted on October 07, 2021 in Recalled Devices

Sleep apnea is a common condition that affects millions of people in the United States. The use of a CPAP machine is one of the most effective ways of treating this condition. However, many CPAP users have been affected by a recall of these devices by Philips Respironics. The recalled CPAP machines contained a polyurethane foam that could break down, leading users to breathe in small particles while using a device. These particles and other chemicals released by the breakdown of the foam may cause multiple serious health conditions, including lung cancer. By understanding how they may have been affected by these issues, CPAP users can work with an attorney to determine their options for pursuing compensation from the manufacturer of a device that injured them.

Symptoms of Lung Cancer

While lung cancer can affect a person’s lung functions, making it difficult to breathe or process oxygen, its effects do not always become evident until a person’s condition has progressed to an advanced stage. A person with lung cancer may experience symptoms such as:

• Persistent coughing, including coughing up blood.

• Shortness of breath, which may occur because of blockages in the airways or the accumulation of fluid in the lungs and chest cavity.

• Significant pain in the chest, which may be a sign that cancer has spread to affect bones or other organs.

• Headaches and nausea, which may be signs that cancer has metastasized to other parts of the body.

There are multiple types of treatment that may be used to address lung cancer. Surgery may be needed to remove cancerous tissue. Depending on the extent of the cancer, small sections of a lung may be cut out, or a lobe of a lung or an entire lung may need to be removed. Radiation treatment or chemotherapy may also be used to kill cancer cells. If cancer has spread beyond the lungs, it may not be possible to fully remove or destroy cancerous tissue, and a person’s condition may be terminal.

Unfortunately, people who suffer from sleep apnea are at a higher risk for cancer. Studies have found that the lack of oxygen a person experiences when they stop breathing while sleeping may encourage the growth of tumors. Those who have moderate to severe sleep apnea are more likely to contract cancer and more likely to die from cancer. For those who have used defective CPAP devices, this may have created a vicious cycle in which toxic substances lead to lung cancer, and the inability to use a recalled device may increase the likelihood that cancer will spread.

Contact Our CPAP Recall Lawyers for Lung Cancer

If you have experienced cancer or other health conditions after using a recalled CPAP machine, our lawyers can help you determine your best options for addressing these issues. Contact our CPAP injury attorneys today to get legal help with your case.

Sources:

https://www.nbcnews.com/business/consumer/philips-recalls-ventilators-sleep-apnea-machines-due-health-risks-n1270725

https://www.verywellhealth.com/sleep-apnea-higher-risk-cancer-4174242

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/lung-cancer/symptoms-causes/syc-20374620