Is it possible that having allergies could be a good thing? We might not go so far as to say yes, but CNN reports today on a correlation between having allergies and a decreased likelihood of developing brain tumors.
In Can Allergies Prevent Tumors?, Dr. Sanjay Gupta tells us, ‘More than a dozen small studies have suggested that people with allergies are less likely to develop gliomas, which are tumors that begin in the brain or spine, and are the most common type of brain tumor.’
Contributing to such research, a new study published in the journal Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention found that the more allergies a person has, the less likely he is to develop a glioma.
It's important to note that while this association has cropped up in many studies, we do not have any proof of a causal relationship. In other words, we cannot say that the presence of allergies actually prevents the tumors from forming, only that there is a correlation between the two.
Additionally, if it were the allergies that prevent the tumors, the mechanism of how this would happen is not known. It could be that those with allergies have a hyperactive immune system, which guards against the development of tumors.
One scientist theorizes that histamine is involved: ‘Dr. Melissa Bondy of the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, who was not involved in this particular study but has done similar research, thinks there is a trigger of the production of histamine – an inflammation-causing compound released in allergic reactions – that protects against gliomas and perhaps even other kinds of cancers.’
There is still much to be studied in this arena, including whether the use of antihistamines compromises the ‘protective’ effect of allergies against tumors. But don't stop your allergy relief measures yet; it's much too early for any recommendations to be made.
As always, we look forward to keeping you informed on developments in this new and fascinating connection and how it plays out in the medical community.
Image courtesy of GovGab