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Cancer In Celiac Disease?

Mama Melissa

By Mama Melissa
in Related Issues & Disorders

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Mama Melissa Enthusiast
Mama Melissa
Posted

Hello all i know celiac disease is a heridtary condition but is the cancer also heriditary as well??? Cause my grandfather died of non hodgkins lymphoma but he was never diagnosed and not aware of his condition.It scares me and makes me think is it more in my genes a predispostion to develop cancer than the rest or it just a matter of sticking to the diet??I've read some articles that say even some that stick to the diet still develop lymphoma and some articles saying that the cancer is very very unlikely,i know i shouldnt dwell on the cancer issue but im soo scared its not even funny:/

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HardcoreDior Newbie
HardcoreDior
Posted

It's not that cut and dry. Celiac and cancer in general are not correlated, however Celiac and certain types of cancer are.

As I'm sure you know, being diagnosed with celiac disease means there is a cetain amount of damage done to the small intestine due to the lack of an enzyme to break down gluten. This damage to the intestine can lead to a 40% to 100% increase in cancers that affect the same part of the body.

Don't freak out - 40% to 100% seems like a lot, but in statistical terms it's actually very small (at most, you have twice the chance of someone without Celiac - which is less than a 1% chance overall). If you have been diagnosed with Celiac, all that is required is that you have periodic screenings for specific types of cancer. Which means if you do happen to develop these celiac-related cancers, they will find them early and will most likely be treatable.

If you're really worried, talk to your doctor. They can explain the screening procedures and let you know what the timetable is. That may ease your stress.

Mama Melissa Enthusiast
Mama Melissa
Posted
  • Author

hardcore thank you i do know that the kind of cancer is related to celiac thats why i freaked but also my intestine had minimal damamge doc said 10 being the worst i was 2 :)so that gives me hope im 27 and found it early as im very intune w my body just scary to find out such a disease exsists!

cassP Contributor
cassP
Posted

Hello all i know celiac disease is a heridtary condition but is the cancer also heriditary as well??? Cause my grandfather died of non hodgkins lymphoma but he was never diagnosed and not aware of his condition.It scares me and makes me think is it more in my genes a predispostion to develop cancer than the rest or it just a matter of sticking to the diet??I've read some articles that say even some that stick to the diet still develop lymphoma and some articles saying that the cancer is very very unlikely,i know i shouldnt dwell on the cancer issue but im soo scared its not even funny:/

i wouldnt freak out- yes, genetics are passed down- but not everything... and on top of that- our genes are only 1 piece of the puzzle- then you have diet, and environment, diet & environmental triggers, viruses, bacteria, stress, emotional state, exercise....

you can lead a completely happy healthy life. it is good for us to know our genes and then change our life accordingly.

my dad had nonhodgekins lymphoma too... but i think it started as testicular, then spread. he has at least 1 DQ8 gene (as i have 2)... and he's had Excema & Psoraisis for years... i tell him everytime i see him to get a celiac panel done... and he just shrugs me off :(

ya, dont stress... you'll be fine

Gemini Experienced
Gemini
Posted

It's not that cut and dry. Celiac and cancer in general are not correlated, however Celiac and certain types of cancer are.

As I'm sure you know, being diagnosed with celiac disease means there is a cetain amount of damage done to the small intestine due to the lack of an enzyme to break down gluten. This damage to the intestine can lead to a 40% to 100% increase in cancers that affect the same part of the body.

Don't freak out - 40% to 100% seems like a lot, but in statistical terms it's actually very small (at most, you have twice the chance of someone without Celiac - which is less than a 1% chance overall). If you have been diagnosed with Celiac, all that is required is that you have periodic screenings for specific types of cancer. Which means if you do happen to develop these celiac-related cancers, they will find them early and will most likely be treatable.

If you're really worried, talk to your doctor. They can explain the screening procedures and let you know what the timetable is. That may ease your stress.

While certain cancers are associated with Celiac Disease, after 5 years on a strict gluten-free diet, the statistics show that your odds of getting any of these cancers go back to that of the general population. Also, it is far more likely you will be diagnosed with these cancers while still an undiagnosed Celiac and not after. These statements come from Dr. Peter Green's newest edition of his book: Celiac Disease: The Hidden Epidemic. According to his research, the lymphoma rate was overblown and is not a 40% higher chance but more like 11% increased risk over the general population.

Remember that the reason they do not screen for these is because they are so much rarer than many of the cancers you see today. Cost outweighs the benefit. If you request some screenings, they may do them based on insurance coverage but the majority of people need not be screened. If there was that much of a risk, you would be hearing about it more than we already don't hear about it.

Only about 10% of all cancers are genetic, the rest may fall into the familial group, meaning that if your relatives had cancer, your risk is somewhat increased but not enough to sound the siren. It's something to keep in mind when making lifestyle choices but not enough to worry about and automatically think you are doomed. Just follow the diet as strictly as possible and this will help greatly in keeping you healthy.

Mama Melissa Enthusiast
Mama Melissa
Posted
  • Author

thank you soo much everyone i want you to know you are all wonderful i wish we could all meet one day that would be soo nice:)I think sometimes my depression takes over who i really am so i am trying to work on that and i think the worst i get soo pessimistic but inside i know things will be ok, hey people comment oh you have celiac that stinks but you know what would stink more not knowing and then being diagnosed with a related cancer later on in life!We all have a heads up in life and should be greatful im trying to work on that:)one last question i am still in the healing process but am meeting a friend at dunkin donuts to talk tonight would it be ok if i got a latte???? i looked at the ingriendients and then checked and it is gluten free or should i worry about contamination?

Mama Melissa Enthusiast
Mama Melissa
Posted
  • Author

cass its funny you say that about your dad cause my dad has very bad eczema for as long as i could remember and he has very bad depression his whole life he strugggled on that side of my family theres not as much cancer but allergies and diabetes here and there now i cant even get started on my moms side first off my mom has thyroid diabetes type 2 had epilesy when she was younger high blood pressure her father had n h lymphoma and my grandmas brothers and sister almost all had diabetes some insulen dependant, my great uncle died of pancriatic cancer at 63 my great aunt died due to diabetes complication at 54.Point is personally i think it runs on both sides of my family but my moms side is def suspect and i love how both parents are soo ignoriant about it ughhhh

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Gemini Experienced
Gemini
Posted

thank you soo much everyone i want you to know you are all wonderful i wish we could all meet one day that would be soo nice:)I think sometimes my depression takes over who i really am so i am trying to work on that and i think the worst i get soo pessimistic but inside i know things will be ok, hey people comment oh you have celiac that stinks but you know what would stink more not knowing and then being diagnosed with a related cancer later on in life!We all have a heads up in life and should be greatful im trying to work on that:)one last question i am still in the healing process but am meeting a friend at dunkin donuts to talk tonight would it be ok if i got a latte???? i looked at the ingriendients and then checked and it is gluten free or should i worry about contamination?

Ask them to change their gloves before making your latte and you should be fine. Get out there and have a good time! :D

Mama Melissa Enthusiast
Mama Melissa
Posted
  • Author

thanx gemini since newely diagnosed i seeem to be restricting myself with going out places and living its soo rough with this disease theres soo many different opnions and responses i guess some are just more sensitive than others

Loey Rising Star
Loey
Posted

thank you soo much everyone i want you to know you are all wonderful i wish we could all meet one day that would be soo nice:)I think sometimes my depression takes over who i really am so i am trying to work on that and i think the worst i get soo pessimistic but inside i know things will be ok, hey people comment oh you have celiac that stinks but you know what would stink more not knowing and then being diagnosed with a related cancer later on in life!We all have a heads up in life and should be greatful im trying to work on that:)one last question i am still in the healing process but am meeting a friend at dunkin donuts to talk tonight would it be ok if i got a latte???? i looked at the ingriendients and then checked and it is gluten free or should i worry about contamination?

Remember as all the wise ones above said - even if something is genetic it is not necessarily passed down. I had my son genetically tested for Celiac before he left for college and he tested negative (phew - one less thing to blame mom for).

Just remember that whenever you get worried there are an infinite number of educated and empathetic people on this forum!

Loey

Mama Melissa Enthusiast
Mama Melissa
Posted
  • Author

thanx loey!

Loey Rising Star
Loey
Posted

thanx loey!

You're welcome and remember we're always here for you if you get scared!!!

Loey biggrin.gif

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