People With
Allergies May Have Lower Risk of Brain Tumors
COLUMBUS,
Ohio - New research adds to the growing body of evidence suggesting that
there’s a link between allergies and reduced risk of a serious type of cancer
that starts in the brain. This study suggests the reduced risk is stronger
among women than men, although men with certain allergy profiles also have a
lower tumor risk.
The study
also strengthens scientists’ belief that something about having allergies or a
related factor lowers the risk for this cancer. Because these tumors, called
glioma, have the potential to suppress the immune system to allow them to grow,
researchers have never been sure whether allergies reduce cancer risk or if,
before diagnosis, these tumors interfere with the hypersensitive immune
response to allergens.
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