Let’s face it: there are very few occasions to rejoice at having respiratory allergies, asthma or eczema, but here’s one: reduced chance of developing brain cancer.
The study, published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, was conducted by an international consortium of researchers from five countries led by researchers from the Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center at Baylor College of Medicine.
They analyzed the health data of 4,533 patients who had glioma – a type of brain cancer – to 4,171 people without brain cancer. The researchers found that a history of asthma, respiratory allergies or eczema was associated with a 30% decrease in the risk of developing glioma.
“Many other studies have shown this relationship,” said Dr. Melissa Bondy, Associate Director for Cancer Prevention and Population Science at the Duncan Cancer Center. “We sought to verify this relationship in the largest study to date so that we could provide a scientific consensus statement on the topic. We feel it’s now time for the next steps to be taken in this research area.”
Research into the mechanism behind this association may someday lead to better prevention and treatment options for gliomas. In the meantime, those suffering with allergies, asthma, or eczema should take solace in knowing there may be a protective factor associated with their medical conditions.
- Approaching a Scientific Consensus on the Association between Allergies and Glioma Risk: A Report from the Glioma International Case-Control Study – Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention
- Study provides consensus on association between allergies and glioma risk – Baylor College of Medicine
