Celiac and Breast Cancer?

Truffles1968

I was diagnosed with celiac disease 2 years ago and have been gluten free since. I thought that was overwhelming until I found out I had breast cancer. Any other celiacs here? Are there any things as a celiac that I should be concerned about with treatment? I read that ILC tends to spread to the gastrointestinal tract so I am concerned celiac disease will make that more likely. Also that if I need chemo, the effects will be worse since my villi are already damaged. Just trying to wrap my head around all this, without being able to eat some gluten laden comfort food.

dlb823

Truffles, I'm so sorry about your recent dx. I'm not a true celiac, but very close, except that my intolerance is limited to wheat. I do think that this sort of condition probably factored into why we got breast cancer in the first place (and I had a mix of both ILC & IDC), because of far too much inflammation going on over the years, as well as a "distracted" or overworked immune system. But I would think that since you've been dx'd and your celiac disease is under control, it shouldn't be as much of a concern going forward. There is research that shows that developing bc and mets has a lot to do with the host environment, so keeping inflammation at bay is probably very important.

Just my initial thoughts on your question... and good luck with your upcoming surgery. (((Hugs))) Deanna

wintersocks

Truffles.

I am a dx's Coeliac, finally dx'd after 10 years and much suffering. So have been gluten free for 18 years now. I had chemo and I do not think being a Coeliac was important as to whether I had chemo or not. The villi that are damaged usually return to normal after a year or so, if you are following the GF strictly.

The biggest risk to Coeliacs is being on anti oestrogen drugs, as I am. These may cause osteoporosis, in Coeliacs that is often already present to some degree or osteopenia, because of malabsorption of calcium. I have osteopenia. It is recommended therefore that Coeliacs have a bone density scan, in Britain that is every two years. Weight bearing exercise is recommended also to keep our bones strong.

Just ask if you need to know anything else.

dtad

Truffles1968 Hi I was dx with Celiac 10 years before my recent bc. I have both IDC and ILC. The only way I think they are linked is in the overall inflammation associated with autoimmune disease. I have several of them so I know the inflammation rate in my body is sky high. I don't believe chemo would be any worse because your villi should be healed by now. Also don't feel there is any increased chance of intestinal cancer. Good luck and keep us posted...

windingshores

It is so much easier having celiac these days. There are some great brands of bread, pizza, muffins, health bars, rice pasta, anything you want really. Traveling can be hard. But as long as you are near a store that carries gluten-free products, you should be fine.

Here is an article on celiac and cancer http://celiacdisease.about.com/od/commoncomplicationsofcd/a/Celiac-Disease-Cancer.htm This article says the risk is much lower, as much as 40%, for breast cancer for those with celiac. But some other cancers, such as lymphoma, has a higher risk, and apparently colon cancer is average risk. I am not checking studies or reading articles so this is just one for the moment, but reassuring.