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H U Albonico

Publications and source records attributed to H U Albonico.

4 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1998

Febrile infectious childhood diseases in the history of cancer patients and matched controls.

The present study was designed to investigate the hypothesis that febrile infectious childhood diseases (FICDs) are associated with a lower cancer risk in adulthood, since biographical considerations are of great importance in anthroposophic medicine. Cancer patients and control patients of 35 anthroposophic general practitioners in Switzerland were matched with respect to gender, age and physician. All patients completed a questionnaire on their FICD. We collected 424 cases; of these we could analyze 379 matched pairs. The study consistently revealed a lower cancer risk for patients with a history of FICD. The strongest associations were found between patients with non-breast cancers and rubella respectively chickenpox. A strong association was also found with the overall number of FICD both 'classical' (measles, mumps, rubella, pertussis, scarlet-fever and chickenpox) and 'other'. None of these associations was apparent for patients with breast cancer. Unexpectedly, we found that cancer was diagnosed significantly earlier in life in cancer patients with a history of FICD compared to those without FICD. Our retrospective study showed a significant association between FICD and the risk of developing cancer. The number of FICD decreased the cancer risk, in particular for non-breast cancers. The relationship with tumor site seems to be important also, but can only be addressed in a larger study.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

[Arguments against routine mumps vaccination].

Routine immunization against mumps was included in the MMR-elimination-programme of Switzerland despite the lack of any public health necessity. Seven years later, the theoretical presumptions of the mumps immunization campaign are challenged by practical experiences: An unnecessary vaccination proves to be of insufficient efficacy, yet associated with an unexpected high complication rate and bears thus the risk of discrediting also other immunizations in the general public. What could be considered a particular immunization failure reveals important inconsistencies of the entire MMR-mass-immunization-campaign. The project remains epidemiologically highly vulnerable and thus hazardous. Because of its constraining effects on the general population, compatibility with basic civil rights can be questioned. The reasons why some 20% of the Swiss population refuse mumps vaccination are little investigated so far. Nevertheless, research can provide important clues for further investigations in this field. As the maturation of the immune system follows learning principles, the question arises whether childhood diseases are not essential for the normal development of immunocompetence. In cancer therapy new attention is drawn to hyperthermia and thus to the healing potential of fever. And finally, there are concerns about the longterm effects of manipulations of the natural balance between man and microorganisms.

Adolescent↗