Cancer and Psoriasis

[Ballstate14]

I am new to the Board; I’m 70 and live in California. I first broke out with Psoriasis at age 31 when my dad got Cancer at age 52; I broke out over 80% of my body almost everywhere but my face, hands, and feet. After my father passed at age 55 my psoriasis cleared mainly except for a few spots of my lower legs and an occasional spot here and there. I would say less than 2% of body.

I quit smoking 35 years ago and drink a bit of alcohol albeit know more than 7-8 drinks per week. I exercise 2x per week playing ? tennis. I take several supplements including Turmeric, D 3, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, etc

I’m concerned about possibly getting cancer which is my greatest fear but I understand if we have Psoriasis are likelihood is increased!! There are many studies that indicate this.

Anyone know of anything we can do to lower the probability?

[Kat]

Welcome Ballstate!

I don't know if there is an answer honestly. I would say try to take care of oneself with healthy eating, exercise and getting yearly check ups to stay on top of things would be a good start. Other than that I haven't a clue.

It sounds like you're staying active and hopefully in good health so I'd say you're probably doing all you can. Perhaps ask your doctor if you could do more since you have a family history with cancer.

[Ballstate14]

thanks just hoping there’s a silver bullet

[jiml]

Hi Ballstate and  to the club
I hope you will enjoy your time here and find the club interesting . None of us here are medical professionals just psoriasis sufferers like yourself giving personal accounts of our experiences of the disease
We also have a vast library of studies and treatments of psoriasis, which as a member you can access by putting your query in the Search facility and it will bring up every post that mentions your enquiry
In the meantime  read this study about the increased risk of cancer in psoriasis sufferers [thread=3574]  and I think there is no silver bullet, but just doing the right things like exercise and healthy eating and not overexposing to the sun are possibly the best way to help yourself and also try not to worry about it. I'm a great believer in positive thinking
Good luck
Jim

[Fred]

Hello Ballstate14  to Psoriasis Club.

I don't think there is a silver bullet when it comes to cancer. I think we all just have to enjoy our lives whilst we have them, worry if it happens but don't worry before it happens.

Jim has a post in Off Topic about DMF that makes interesting reading: [thread=5508] But DMF is not available to you in the USA under prescription for psoriasis as far as I know.

Another thought is the dreaded Methotrexate. It's used for psoriasis and cancer, would it help keep cancer away ? I don't know, but it may be worth you asking your doctor.

Regards.

Fred.

[JohnB]

Hello Ballstate and a warm welcome to our Club  .

To be honest I had never heard of this link with psoriasis and cancer, but I agree with everybody else's comments about living the best life you can. Live in the moment and enjoy it, worry about it when you have to.

On Fred's point about Methotrexate,  I would guess it's a non starter as a preventative,  I was told in no uncertain terms to avoid sunlight while I was on the stuff as it can increase your susceptibility to skin cancer due to your immune system being compromised.  The same applied while I was on Acitretin and Cyclosporine. 

Everything in moderation and enjoy life 

[Caroline]

Hi Ballstate,

Welcome to the forum,

I don’t have any recollection of people who have Psoriasis and also have cancer. I so can choose to believe the research, but never have met someone personally with this combination of Psoriasis and cancer.
Indeed I have been discussing this earlier with Jim and with the use of DMF, in this discussion we found no evidence. Amongs others you see that over here in the thread [post=7461]. Would this be the silver bullet?

The ‘normal’ comorbidities of Psoriasis are diabetes, overweight, heart problems and the slightly higher risk of other auto immune diseases.
As there is a clear relation between overweight and the risk of cancer, the relation might be over there and not due to the Psoriasis.

Main line.. try to live a nice life. Do some sports, enjoy, love, and be happy... this is the only chance you get in this life. 

Cheers,
Caroline

[KatT]

 Ballstate

Never heard that the likelihood of getting cancer is increased with psoriasis....

Increased likelihood due to treatments that lower your immune system, yes.  Regular check ups and healthy habits help to lower the probability.

Enjoy reading all the information on the forum and visit the off topic section for a bit fun

[Kat]

I hadn't heard that psoriasis made anyone more susceptible to cancer either, but I started searching.

Some studies show that psoriasis is associated with an increase in some types of cancers.

I mean it makes sense if you think about it since psoriasis is an autoimmune disease. But also a lot of factors are involved, severity, age, treatments, etc and it seems to be only a "slight risk" for certain types of cancers mostly skin and lymphoma.

If someone already has a family history of cancer then it makes sense to be concerned, however I'd discuss it with my doctor as far as risks go. Then I wonder since psoriasis patients are encouraged to get out in the sun (more than non psoriasis) how that factors into skin cancer susceptibility. So it's good to know if you have a family history of skin cancer that perhaps getting an extra dose of sunshine might not be the best thing to do.

But if there is no history then I think we all have to just try to live our best life and do the best we can to stay healthy.

Interesting topic however.

[D Foster]

Hi Ballstate welcome to the club. I have been on Stelara for quite a few years now and it works great.
This section is from the Stelara information site that they put me on when I started taking it.

In clinical trials malignancies have been observed in patients receiving ustekinumab. Patients should be monitored for non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSCs), particularly those patients who have had prior prolonged phototherapy treatment. Periodic skin examination is recommended for all patients, particularly those with risk factors for skin cancer. Caution should be exercised when considering ustekinumab for the treatment of patients with a history of malignancy, those who have a known malignancy, or in continuing treatment in patients who develop malignancy while receiving this agent.