MS symptoms: Multiple Sclerosis Patients 85% More Likely to Develop Cancer

CancerRibbons

Before everyone passes out at the headline, let’s look closer at the topic. Most research indicates no increased risk of cancer for people with auto-immune diseases affecting the central nervous system. However, in Taiwan a study was completed using the Taiwan’s National Health Insurance System between 1997-2010 looking at people diagnosed between those dates and compared those 1292 patients with 5168 people without MS. The results:

Our study was a nationwide population-based cohort study, and it revealed unexpected findings,” said Dr. Sun. Specifically, the team found that individuals with multiple sclerosis were 85% more likely to develop cancer than the controls. Their risk of developing breast cancer was especially high, with more than a 2-fold increased risk over controls.” (Wiley)

Wiley. “Patients with MS may be at increased risk of developing cancer.” ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 14 January 2014. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/01/140114130842.htm>.

About the Author

Melissa Cook
Melissa Cook is the author of www.MSsymptoms.me. As a retired high school teacher and school district administrator, she chooses to share her MS story in hopes of benefiting others.