Are us lupies at a high risk of getting cancer?

[Danielle2419]

Ok so I scared myself senseless after researching on lupus and found some form of an increased risk of cancer please reassure my mind have already got upset about it

[jayfer]

Please do not read sites that are not medical. There are too many and not all give the same info. I haven't seen that written anywhere. I have found this site the most helpful for information, we all have differences in our illness, mine is mild lupus, sjgorens and fibromyalgia. As some who smoke can get cancer- but not all- some is due to genes- but not all get it, then maybe some lupus folk may- not all. I'm sure the more informative on here will post to you, I just wanted to try and alleviate some of your upset tonight. Sleep well x

[Purpletop]

In principle, yes - the immune system is usually controlling the out of kilter cells so that they don't get a chance to form cancers. If the immune system is not functioning properly (particularly where immunosuppressants are added), then in theory the risk of cancer is increased.

Having said that, many lupus sufferers have lived with it and with immunosuppressives for a long time without getting cancer, whilst seemingly risk free healthy people got it, so there is no way to know how things will pan out. As long as we keep to a decent diet and a moderate amount of exercise, control stress and the lupus, there isn't much else we can do but hope that our bodies will sort it out and keep us C free.

[Paul_Howard Partner LUPUS UK]

Hi Metoyou,

You may like to take a look at this information on the Lupus Foundation of America's website. It's very helpful and will hopefully answer your question sufficiently.

lupus.org/resources/15-ques...

[gazorpf]

There are some studies that show hydroxychlorquine users are less likel to develop cancer. There are other medications that make increase our risk ever so slightly. Those medications will have that risk listed in the warnings. Outside of that, no, we are not at an increased risk of cancer just because we have lupus.