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Overview
Psoriasis is a chronic, noncommunicable disease that affects the skin. Faulty signals sent by the immune system increase the growth cycle of the skin cells, causing inflammation to occur on the skin. This can range from flaky patches to red lesions. Depending on the gravity of the case, psoriasis can be classified as mild to severe. The effects of psoriasis go beyond the aesthetics. Some patients with severe cases report feelings of depression and other psychological conditions. One other complication that can develop from suffering from psoriasis is a higher risk of cancer.
Research
Studies have linked psoriasis with cancer. A research project was conducted over a period of 46 months to determine the link between psoriasis and cancer. Doctors and researchers studied the records of patients in the United Kingdom and found that there were 2,718 patients who had psoriasis while 105,203 did not. Within the group, there were 122 more people with lymphoma each year per 100,000 people within the group with psoriasis. In fact, a study conducted by the University of Pennsylvania has shown that lymphoma is found to be almost three times as common among psoriasis patients.
Psoriasis Link
Studies conducted have shown that those inflicted with severe psoriasis have increased health risks. The presence of psoriasis can increase the risk of certain kinds of cancer such as lymphoma, which is a kind of cancer that targets the lymph nodes and spleen. Psoriasis can also increase the risk of squamous cell carcinoma, which affects the skin. One reason for the increase in cancer risk is that psoriasis affects the immune system. This condition exacerbates the possibility of developing immune cancers such as lymphoma.
Medication Link
Treatments used to treat psoriasis have also been linked with the development of cancer. It has been found that there is an increased risk of cancer for those patients who have undergone treatments of photochemotherapy and the drug cicolosporin, which is used to suppress the immune system. Razacone, which is a drug used to treat psoriasis, was taken off the market because of safety concerns.
Prevention
An increased risk of cancer for psoriasis patients should affect their health choices. It is recommended that people suffering from this condition get regular screenings for cancer as well as avoid behaviors that can trigger cancer. Smoking and excessive drinking should be minimized. Prolonged exposure to sunlight should also be avoided because it has the tendency to worsen the condition of psoriasis. Strengthening the immune system is the key to lessen the risk of cancer as well as in alleviating the symptoms of psoriasis.
Warning
Doctors have indicated that the link between psoriasis and cancer still requires further research. Most have accepted that there is a relationship between these two illnesses. However, the exact nature of the relationship is still undergoing study for a more specific determination. Cancer among psoriasis patients is increased but it is still relatively low. Psoriasis patients are advised to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of getting treatment for their condition against the risk of cancer.
