Apr 01, 2009
New study explores link between MS and cancer
A new study shows that people with multiple sclerosis may be at a lower risk for cancer overall, but at a higher risk of developing certain types of cancer.
Researchers looked at the medical records of 20,000 people with multiple sclerosis and 204,000 people without the diagnosis. After 35 years, they found that the people with MS had a decreased overall risk of cancer by 10% compared to people who did not have the disease. The result was more pronounced in women.
However, for people with MS, the risk for certain cancers, such as brain tumors and bladder and other urinary organ cancers, increased by up to 44% compared to people without MS.
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