Patients with Multiple Sclerosis Suffer a High Risk of Developing Cancer, Especially Breast Cancer

A latest study reveals a strong association between multiple sclerosis and cancer risk.

The study reported in the European Journal of Neurology claims that people suffering from multiple sclerosis, an autoimmune disease affecting nerves in brain and spinal cord, have a higher risk of developing cancer, especially breast cancer.

Studies conducted earlier claimed that people with autoimmune disease may suffer from a greater risk of developing cancer but most of the studies detected no association between multiple sclerosis (MS) and cancer. Since this latest finding contradicts the previous findings, researchers say that additional research is required to determine whether or not there is a link between the disease and cancer.

For the study, researchers evaluated the data retrieved from the National Health Insurance System of Taiwan. They assessed the information on 1292 people who were diagnosed with MS between 1997 and 2010. They further matched each MS patient with four healthy people who were not diagnosed with the condition.

MS that is not considered as a fatal disease is a chronic and unpredictable disease. It affects people between the ages of 20 and 50. This autoimmune disease causes extreme fatigue, blindness, paralysis, poor coordination and more. There are more than 2.3 million people around the world living with MS.

This investigation was led by Li-Min Sun, MD, of the Zuoying Branch of Kaohsiung Armed Forces General Hospital in Kaohsiung, Taiwan.

"Our study was a nationwide population-based cohort study, and it revealed unexpected findings," said Dr. Sun

The researchers noticed that those with MS suffered 85 percent higher risk of developing cancer when compared to the control group. There was a twofold higher risk of developing breast cancer when compared to the control group.

This study suggests that those with MS should be monitored closely in order to ensure the early detection of cancer.

Unsure of why the results of this study differs from the previous studies, Dr. Sun notes says,  "The underlying genetic and environmental factors in Taiwan, which differ from those of western countries, might play an undetermined role. Additional large-scale studies will help improve our understanding."