Are people with allergies less likely to have cancer?

Allergies affect a wide range of people worldwide. For example, some allergies can have a negative impact on blood pressure and cholesterol levels, but a possible connection has also been found between a reduced risk of cancer and allergy sufferers.

Increased risk of heart disease due to allergies

So far it is not known exactly how allergies can affect other illnesses. Research is currently discussing whether allergic diseases may promote other diseases or whether they reduce the risk of other diseases. Both approaches provide seemingly plausible arguments; Since the immune system reacts very hypersensitively to harmless substances when you have an allergy, it could be that allergy sufferers have an extremely strong immune system because it is “stressed” more and is therefore “trained”. On the other hand, it is discussed whether the immune system is already so busy dealing with allergy triggers that other pathogens can no longer be optimally combated. Based on this discussion, we dealt with various studies on the topic.

One exemplary study is that one Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. This examined data from more than 13,000 children with an allergic disease. The focus of the research was on the question of which diseases allergies can promote in children. Atopic eczema, hay fever and allergic asthma were proven to firstly have a negative impact on children’s sleep, and secondly, they could higher blood pressure and higher cholesterol levels be determined.

The results of the study show that in addition to reduced sleep, blood pressure also increases and the Cholesterol levels is often increased. Both high blood pressure and elevated blood fat levels are significant Risk factors for various heart diseases. Particularly highlighted are: allergic asthma and hay fever, which The risk of heart disease can even double. This means that allergies represent an even greater risk factor for heart disease than obesity, which was previously considered the greatest danger. Why the allergy works like this could be behind the high inflammatory substances are in the blood, as are typical of an allergy. The substances are responsible for activating inflammatory processes in the vessels. This promotes high blood pressure, according to study leader Silverberg. In addition, high blood pressure can be associated with the often reduced exercise of children with asthma in the fresh air. It is therefore clear that allergies are a significant risk factor for heart disease even in childhood. The head of the study demands that the so-called Screeningan early detection program for diseases, even in children who suffer from an allergic disease, carried out early and closely. This is to prevent high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels from being overlooked.

Study: Cancer linked to allergies

Another study put the focus a little differently. The goal was to have one Connection between cancer and allergy sufferers to produce. Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine’s Cancer Center analyzed the health data of 4,500 people with one glioma Brain tumor sick patients, with those of 4,200 healthy people.

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Based on health data, it was discovered that there were fewer cancer patients among allergy sufferers than among people without allergies. The difference was around 30% – the allergy sufferers mostly had a respiratory allergy such as hay fever. It could now be assumed that Respiratory allergies could reduce the risk of cancer. However, it is not (yet) clear why this could be.

Furthermore: Whether the result only Coincidence or actual evidence for a connection cannot yet be said with certainty; so does study director Melissa Bondy. In this aspect, in the future collected even more data and researched so that concrete statements can be made.

Conclusion

It is important to note that the studies only for specific allergies, such as allergic asthma or respiratory allergies. In addition, the first study focused on children, the second on brain tumor sufferers. The data can not generalized become; In particular, the second study presented can currently still be done no proven facts delivery.

Nevertheless, both studies are interesting to look at because they have one Stimulate future research can give and represent progress. A more comprehensive set of studies can be of help to affected allergy sufferers in the future and provide important information about the possible effects on other diseases.