Celiac Disease and the Associated Cancer Risks

Suffering with celiac disease, itself can be a life altering condition. For many patients, however, there is concern over the increased risk for developing secondary complications, such as cancer. As a patient who suffers with celiac disease, it is important to understand the complications and monitor for the indications of more several health complications such as celiac disease associated malignancy.

Since the mortality rate of many celiac disease patients if far greater than that of the general population, if you suffer from celiac disease, and have been told the disease is in remission, it is important to never let your guard down. Many cases of malignancy or cancer have been associated with celiac disease in those patients who believed the celiac disease was resolved or in remission.

So, what are the types of malignancies is the celiac disease patient at risk for? While there are many, the most common are found to be thyroid cancer, esophageal cancer, lymphoma and cancer of the small intestine. For this reason, if you suffer from celiac disease, it is important to obtain regular physical examination of these areas to ensure the development of cancer has not occurred, even into late adulthood.

Because celiac disease leads to complications of the intestinal tract, avoiding these complications will reduce your risk for development associated malignancies. Adhering to the gluten-free diet is the first step in successfully avoiding cancer. In addition to a gluten-free diet, the patient who suffers from celiac disease should also work to avoid health complications associated with a suppressed immune system. Such complications might include general infection or more progressive and chronic complications such as diabetes or HIV/AIDS.

Eating a gluten-free diet but also engaging in regular exercise will work to boost the immune system and reduce the risk for inflammatory disease, also a culprit for the development of cancer in the celiac disease patient. Taking supplements, such as vitamin A, has also shown to reduce the risk of some forms of cancer, ultimately assisting the celiac disease patient in overcoming the obstacles placing them at greater risk.

If you are a celiac disease sufferer, it is important to remember that celiac disease will never simply go away. While the symptoms may be masked or temporarily in a hiatus, the fact remains, the complications will always persist. For this reason, when suffering from celiac disease, understand that you may be at greater risk for developing specific type of cancers. As a result, seek out regular healthcare screenings, increase your intake of vitamin A, stick to a gluten-free diet and avoid infections that may suppress your immune system further.