DECREASED PREVALENCE OF IMMEDIATE HYPERSENSITIVITY (ATOPY) IN A CANCER POPULATION

  • 1 January 1976
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 36  (9) , 3225-3226
Abstract
It was suggested that the atopic population has a decreased risk of cancer. This investigation examined the cumulative prevalence of atopy in a population with neoplastic disease and compared this with the prevalence of atopy in an age matched control group and published estimates of atopy in the general population. Seventy-four patients with neoplastic disease and 86 patients without cancer were evaluated. The subjects were given a standard allergic questionnaire which evaluated them with regard to a history of allergic symptoms, hives, eczema, frequent colds, frequent unexplained rashes, hay fever and asthma. All were skin tested with a representative group of regionally significant allergens. There was a 15 fold decrease in prevalence of atopy in the cancer population, compared with the control group and compared with published estimates of atopy in the general population.

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