People with asthma have higher cancer risks, study finds

Credit: Luci / Pexels

A new study has revealed that people with asthma are more likely to develop cancer, especially those who do not use inhaled steroids.

The study was conducted by researchers from the University of Florida Health Cancer Center.

The team used electronic health records and claims data from 2012 to 2020 in the OneFlorida+ clinical research network to identify 90,021 adult patients with asthma and a matching cohort of 270,063 adult patients without asthma.

The study found that patients with asthma were 36% more likely to develop cancer compared to those without asthma.

The risk of cancer was high in patients with asthma, both with and without the use of inhaled steroids.

However, the study found that the risk of cancer was elevated for nine out of 13 cancers in asthma patients who did not use inhaled steroids, while it was only elevated for two of 13 cancers in asthma patients who did use inhaled steroids.

This suggests a protective effect of inhaled steroids against cancer.

According to Yi Guo, Ph.D., one of the researchers involved in the study, “Using real-world data, our study is the first to provide evidence of a positive association between asthma and cancer risk in United States patients.”

The study highlights the need for further research to examine the mechanisms through which asthma is associated with cancer, given the prevalence of asthma.

While the findings of this study are concerning, it is important to note that asthma is a common condition, and the majority of people with asthma do not develop cancer.

It is also important for individuals with asthma to continue to manage their condition effectively, including taking their prescribed medications and attending regular check-ups with their healthcare provider.

How to prevent cancer if you have asthma

While the study suggests that people with asthma may have a higher risk of developing cancer, it’s important to note that having asthma does not necessarily mean that you will get cancer.

However, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk of cancer:

Quit smoking: Smoking is a leading cause of many types of cancer. If you have asthma and smoke, quitting smoking is essential to reducing your risk of developing cancer.

Exercise regularly: Regular physical activity can help reduce your risk of developing cancer. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise most days of the week.

Eat a healthy diet: Eating a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins can help reduce your risk of cancer.

Limit alcohol intake: Alcohol consumption has been linked to an increased risk of several types of cancer. Limiting your alcohol intake or avoiding it altogether can help reduce your risk.

Manage your asthma: Properly managing your asthma can help reduce inflammation and improve lung function, which can lower your risk of developing respiratory-related cancers.

It’s important to talk to your healthcare provider about your asthma management plan and any additional steps you can take to reduce your cancer risk.

If you care about cancer, please read studies about vegetable oil that increase spread of cancer, and Vitamin D level in your blood may predict colon cancer risk.

For more information about health, please see recent studies that Marijuana may strongly increase death risk in high blood pressure, and Yale study finds the causes of cancer.

The study was conducted by Yi Guo et al and published in Cancer Medicine.

Copyright © 2023 Knowridge Science Report. All rights reserved.