Celiac/cancer

[katbaloo]

Can anyone share info they may have on what they've been told with regards to celiacs and an increased chance of melanoma. I've heard both sends of the spectrum from "it's inevitable" to "37%" (in one Dr's book) to "no more chance than longevity"

So much info in just a day and a half...my head hurts.

[mhb]

I read that Celiacs have five times the rate of melanoma. The researchers did not know why, but commented that it must be interpreted in the context of rising melanoma rates generally. Another post indicated that a gene predisposing to celiac also predisposes to melanoma. I read that a cytokine gene is linked with melanoma, and I believe the gluten reaction involves increased cytokines circulating. I'm interested in this issue.

[mushroom]

Interesting thread. I have no knowledge, but in our family melanoma and breast cancer are linked. All three sisters have had melanoma, so far I am the only one who has avoided breast cancer. (one sister is BRCA1 positive, the other negative; I have not been tested since it appears not to make a difference). Mother gave us the moles for melanoma, had both breast and ovarian cancer, and it is now apparent to me that she too was celiac. Two of we three sisters are gluten intolerant and the third apparently is also but will not admit it. Genetic links can be pretty scary. I'm kinda glad I had no kids.

[ShayFL]

Celiacs are often deficient in vitamin D. Low vitamin D is correlated with melanoma in some studies.