Hay Fever And Asthma May Protect Against A Common Cancer

July 31, 2008

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Perhaps, finally, something positive about suffering from hay fever and asthma. As a hay fever sufferer since my mid teens, who seems to be getting worse as the years pass, it is good to hear something positive about allergies.

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is a common group of cancers. They are all solid tumors that are derived from lymphocytes. There are three types of lymphocytes, B cells, T cells and natural killer cells. All the lymphocyte cell types play important roles in our immune systems, protecting the body from threats such as viruses, bacteria and tumors. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma can involve either B or T cells.

Recent research shows that those with allergies were less likely to get one type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. This type is derived from B cells. According to the American Cancer Society, B cell lymphomas are about 85% of non-Hodgkin lymphomas. So allergies may offer some protection for the most common types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Hopefully, when the reason for the somewhat protective effect of allergies and asthma is discovered, it may provide useful information for the prevention and treatment of cancers.

For more information about non-Hodgkin lymphoma check out the National Cancer Institute and the American Cancer Society.

photo credit: *clairity*