Link between elevated b12 levels and lung / colon cancers. Need advice.

[Jennygal]

Hello - I have got myself worried about something. I self inject every two weeks but was wanting to increase this dose to every other day to see if I notice any improvement. I then found some medical articles about the links between b12 and lung cancer and colon cancer. It was implying that elevated levels of b12 were contributing factors to these cancers. I’m really worried now and need someone to tell me if this is unfounded. I don’t want to fix one problem only to have another one down the line. I’d never forgive myself. Need advice, thanks.

[blackmarker]

My endocrinologist professor - who is also a lecturer at medical university - told me I shouldn't self inject B12 because it increases risk of cancer... I already had a thyroid cancer 4 years ago and knowing that B12 on its own increases risk of stomach cancer I am at a crossroad myself...

[Jennygal in reply to blackmarker]

Thank you for this - not the answer I wanted to hear, sadly.

[wedgewood in reply to blackmarker]

I’m shocked to hear of such ignorance .

[VellBlue]

Am copying and pasting a comment from someone else on a similar question on this forum from 7 months ago.

👇

B12 injections have been in use for many years now.

If, when used in Pernicious Anaemia patients, the high B12 levels claimed resulted in greater risk of lung cancer, we might expect to see a higher rate of lung cancer than in the general population.

We don't. We see a lower rate. At least according to this paper:

Lahner E, Capasso M, Carabotti M, Annibale B. Incidence of cancer (other than gastric cancer) in pernicious anaemia: A systematic review with meta-analysis. Dig Liver Dis. 2018 Aug;50(8):780-786. doi: 10.1016/j.dld.2018.05.012. Epub 2018 May 24. PMID: 29887343.

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/298...

PA patients had a lower RR of colorectal, breast, liver, oesophageal, lung, thyroid, ovary, non-melanoma skin and kidney cancers but had a higher RR of biliary tract cancer (1.81:1.21-2.70), multiple myeloma (2.83:1.76-4.55), Hodgkin's lymphoma (3.0:1.35-6.68), non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (2.08: 1.58-2.75), and leukaemia (1.56:1.16-2.12).

( helvella )

[Jennygal in reply to VellBlue]

Thank you - I appreciate this.

[Hamayeshguy in reply to VellBlue]

In the meantime high homocysteine is more problematic than high B12 because it causes cardiovascular diseases and heart attack which is prevalent among population.

[2FloorLuka]

Well, I don't think they were targeting People with PA during research. We will always have ups and downs with b12 during treatment, since we can't keep our levels stable. I think the goal was to alarm People who naturally have raised levels to look for help. Not taking b12 can cause much more harm and damage. And its not an assumption, but a certainty. ((Hugs))

[wedgewood]

There is so much ignorance in the medical profession about P.A / B12 deficiency ,and B12 injections . If someone is NOT supplementing with B12 and has a very high b12 reading, it can be a cause for concern . It can point to several medical problems , not just cancer ..If you are supplementing with oral or injected B12 , you are bound to have a high B12 reading . Nothing to worry about at all . You need to have a high reading when injecting B12 for P.A. . When B12 in the blood reaches a certain level , it will then “ spill over “ into the cells , where is is needed . This. “ spillage “ point varies from patient to patient . I believe that’s why different patients need different regularities of injection . I need a weekly injection. , and my B12 blood level has been off the measurable scale for 6 years , to my benefit , and no problems at all l Do not worry ! Best wishes !

[Jennygal in reply to wedgewood]

Thank you - I suppose that was the answer I wanted to hear. I inject every two weeks but really feel I need more. I’d like to try every other day injections and see if I make any improvements. If not, I’ll reduce the frequency. My level is way off the charts too. Thank you taking time to reply.

[wedgewood in reply to Jennygal]

Do try every other day and see if that brings benefits . You can do no harm. You need to read the Dutch B12 Foundation ‘s article about B12 injections . That would give you peace of mind .Sorry i don’t have the link to it .

[waveylines in reply to Jennygal]

Jennygal I inject twice per day as its the only way to keep my symptoms at bay. The risk of cancer from high B12 is not related to those of us who self inject......the opposite has been shown. High b12 levels when not on supplementation is indicative of their being an underlying cause one of which can be cancer. Its not the cause but a symptom! So please dont worry.

[Jennygal in reply to waveylines]

Thank you x

[Gambit62 Administrator]

Just to be clear - when studies and articles say that 'risks are higher' they are reporting a statistical correlation between rates of cancer and whatever is mentioned, eg high B12. It doesn't identify a causal relationship - and if you looked at the research in detail it is likely that one of the recommendations would be more research to establish the causal link. It also quite probable that it isn't clear from the studies whether they deliberately excluded people receiving injections or not. B12 deficiency itself is a risk factor for cancer because of the part B12 plays in the processes that replicate DNA.

[Nackapan]

How I understand it.If you've got undiagnosed cancer having B12 injections multiples good cells snd bad.

But it has to be there first to be multiplied

[waveylines in reply to Nackapan]

Well oncologists vary on this. For example if you are already on injections and had to endure treatments they wont ask you to stop injecting unless the only treatment they can prescribe is contrary indicated for B12......one would hope they would want to avoid this as they need people to be as well as they can be to fight cancer. So adding stress to someones body who needs b12 injections by depriving them of them is going to make it harder to have a good outcome & be able to cope with treatment.

[Hamayeshguy]

In long period of time with men who is currently smoker or with smoking history may happen. But based on statics this study have done. Actually better nourishing with vitamins B12 and B6 may cause growing of already existed tiny tumors faster. But hopefully CBD oil can shrink back lung cancer tumor but CBD oil in large quantity can affect liver enzymes and neutralize sine important enzymes which responsible for processing some medications. But all together there us no worry because it takes at least ten years the person get affected by high dose of B12 and B6. In the meantime we use this supplements indirectly everyday like folic acid in grains which is added by governments in lots of countries. For PA people or people with high deficiency and extensive neuropathy there is no any other choice. If I want to get back normal life I have to inject until my symptoms go away. There us risk factor for everything so don't get worried and do what you have to do