Reduced Risk of Cervical and Vulvar Cancers Associated ...



Reduced Risk of Cervical and Vulvar Cancers Associated with Allergies

LG Johnson, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, USA

S Schwartz, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, USA

PL Porter, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, USA

D Galloway, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, USA

MM Madeleine, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, USA

Background: Many studies have shown an inverse association between allergies and risk of various cancers, most recently including cervical carcinoma. It is unknown whether this association is consistent across histologic types of cervical cancer or may exist with other anogenital cancers. Objectives: To determine how the relationship between allergies and cervical and vulvar cancers may be modified by histology, tumor behavior, and HPV type. Methods: Cases were diagnosed with cervical squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), invasive or in situ cervical adenocarcinoma, or invasive or in situ vulvar SCC in western Washington state between 1986 and 1998. Controls were recruited from the source population using random-digit telephone dialing. Participants completed a comprehensive in-person interview that included questions about lifetime history of allergies. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using logistic and polytomous regression. Results: History of allergies conferred a reduced risk of cervical cancer (OR 0.8, 95% CI 0.6-0.9). Pollen allergies, the most commonly reported allergy (32% controls, 24% cervical cases, 17% vulvar cases), were associated with a reduced risk of invasive cervical cancer (OR 0.8, 95% CI 0.6-0.9) and vulvar SCC (OR 0.5, 95% CI 0.4-0.7). This association was not present for in situ cervical adenocarcinoma (OR 1.5, 95% CI 0.9-2.3, p for heterogeneity = 0.01). Food allergies were associated with a significantly reduced risk of vulvar SCC (OR 0.6, 95% CI 0.4-0.8), but not cervical cancer (OR 0.8, 95% CI 0.6-1.1). However, wheat allergies were associated with reduced risk of invasive cervical cancer (OR = 0.1, 95% CI 0.0-0.9). Conclusion: Allergies to pollen and certain foods were associated with a reduced risk of cervical and vulvar cancers in this study. It is worth exploring what is driving this association, possibly a common immunogenetic path such as toll-like receptors that link innate and adaptive immune response.

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