Asthma linked to elevated cancer risks, study finds

A recent study conducted at the University of Florida has revealed a potential connection between asthma and an increased risk for developing cancer. The study, published in Cancer Medicine, analyzed data from over 90,000 adults with asthma in the OneFlorida+ Clinical Research Network and compared it to data from over 270,000 adults without respiratory disease. The researchers found that individuals with asthma had a 1.36-fold increased risk for developing cancer, with increased risk seen for lung cancer, blood cancers, melanoma, kidney cancer, and ovarian cancer. The study provides initial evidence of inflammation as the potential mechanism for the association between asthma and cancer risk. Further research is needed to determine whether there is a causal effect. Inhaled steroid use may have a protective effect, according to the study.