Cancer Risks in People with MS
- People with MS had an increased risk for bladder cancer, brain cancer and cervical cancer.
- People with MS had a lower risk of prostate cancer, colorectal cancer and breast cancer.
- Cancer risk was higher in people with MS younger than 55 years and decreased in people with MS 65 years and older
A recent study shows people with multiple sclerosis may have a small, increased risk of cancer compared to people without MS. This increased risk is highest for bladder, brain and cervical cancers. It’s critical to understand cancer risk in MS, because many cancers are preventable or treatable, with proper screening.“What we found for the most part is that cancer risk wasn’t different in people with MS than people without MS — particularly for some of those most common cancers — breast cancer, colon rectal cancer and lung cancer,” says Ruth Ann Marrie, MD, PhD. “We did however see some increased risks for a couple of cancers.One was bladder cancer. We also saw more brain cancers but that largely looked like it was some of the more benign cancers you would see in people who are getting a lot more MRIs than everybody else so that was overall fairly reassuring. Then we saw a small signal suggesting ovarian cancer was more common in people with MS.”Marrie co-led the 2020 Canadian study which examined the health records of 53,984 people with MS and 266,920 people without MS across two Canadian provinces.A French study, published in 2024, built on Marrie’s research by using 10 years of records from a French healthcare database to look for associations between rates of cancer and cancer screening in 140,649 people with MS and 562,596 people without MS who were of similar age, sex and residence.This study found people with MS had a 6% increased risk of developing any type of cancer compared to people without MS. Risk varied by cancer type and age:
- People with MS had an increased risk for bladder cancer, brain cancer and cervical cancer.
- People with MS had a lower risk of prostate cancer, colorectal cancer and breast cancer.
- Cancer risk was higher in people with MS younger than 55 years and decreased in people with MS 65 years and older
Cancer Screening Rates Among People With MS
4 Tips to Reduce Cancer Risk
Cancer Screening Recommendations
- Testicular cancer/Breast cancer: Regularly perform self-exams
- Testicular cancer/Breast cancer: Regularly perform self-exams
- Cardiovascular: Regularly check blood pressure, cholesterol levels and lipid levels
- Skin cancer: Professional screening is recommended every 3 years. Screen early or more frequently if there is a family history or signs of moles with change.
- Bone density: Individuals living with MS who have significant steroid use, or a family history of osteoporosis, should talk to their healthcare provider about getting tested.
- Cervical cancer (women): A pap smear is recommended every 3 years. Speak with your healthcare provider to determine if you need a more frequent cadence.
- Talk to your primary care provider if you have a family history of colon cancer, diabetes or breast cancer, or if you have a high body mass index (BMI). You may be a candidate for early screening.
- Testicular cancer/Breast cancer: Regularly perform self-exams
- Cardiovascular: Regularly check blood pressure, cholesterol levels and lipid levels
- Skin cancer: Professional screening is recommended every 3 years. Screen early or more frequently if there is a family history or signs of moles with change.
- Bone density: Individuals living with MS who have significant steroid use, or a family history of osteoporosis, should talk to their healthcare provider about getting tested.
- Cervical cancer (women): A pap smear is recommended every 3 years. Speak with your healthcare provider to determine if you need a more frequent cadence.
- Talk to your primary care provider if you have a family history of colon cancer, diabetes or breast cancer, or if you have a high body mass index (BMI). You may be a candidate for early screening.
- Cardiovascular: Regularly check blood pressure, cholesterol levels and lipid levels
- Skin cancer: Professional screening is recommended every year.
- Colon cancer: Talk to your healthcare provider about a colonoscopy or Cologuard at age 45 (sooner if you have a family history of colon cancer).
- Diabetes: Begin screening at age 45. Talk to your healthcare provider if you have high body mass index (BMI) and/or a family history of diabetes, as earlier screening may be necessary.
- Bone density: Individuals living with MS who have significant steroid use, or a family history of osteoporosis, should talk to their healthcare provider about getting tested.
- Prostate cancer (men): If you have risk factors, talk to your healthcare provider about a screening, which includes a digital rectal exam and bloodwork to look at levels of protein produced by the prostate
- Testicular cancer (men): Regularly perform self-exams
- Cervical cancer (women): A pap smear is recommended every 3 years. Speak with your healthcare provider to determine if you need a more frequent cadence.
- Breast cancer (women): Get a mammogram every year or every other year. Speak with your healthcare provider about your risk of breast cancer and how often you should be screened. Transgender individuals should also be screened annually.
- Cardiovascular: Regularly check blood pressure, cholesterol levels and lipid levels
- Skin cancer: Professional screening is recommended every year.
- Colon cancer: Talk to your healthcare provider about a colonoscopy or Cologuard.
- Diabetes: Begin screening regularly.
- Bone density: Talk to your healthcare provider about getting tested and the frequency of tests.
- Prostate cancer (men): Talk to your healthcare provider about a screening, which includes a digital rectal exam and bloodwork to look at levels of protein produced by the prostate
- Testicular cancer (men): Regularly perform self-exams
- Cervical cancer (women): A pap smear is recommended every 3 years. Speak with your healthcare provider to determine if you need a more frequent cadence.
- Breast cancer (women): Get a mammogram every year or every other year. Speak with your healthcare provider about your risk of breast cancer and how often you should be screened. Transgender individuals should also be screened annually.
- Cardiovascular: Regularly check blood pressure, cholesterol levels and lipid levels
- Skin cancer: Professional screening is recommended every year.
- Colon cancer: Talk to your healthcare provider about a colonoscopy or Cologuard.
- Diabetes: Screen regularly.
- Bone density: Talk to your healthcare provider about getting tested and the frequency of tests.
- Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm: At age 65 and up, talk to your healthcare provider about an abdominal ultrasound, especially if you have a history of smoking or a family history of AAA.
- Prostate cancer (men): Talk to your healthcare provider about a screening, which includes a digital rectal exam and bloodwork to look at levels of protein produced by the prostate
- Testicular cancer (men): Regularly perform self-exams
- Cervical cancer (women): A pap smear is recommended every 3 years. Speak with your healthcare provider to determine if you need a more frequent cadence.
- Breast cancer (women): Get a mammogram every year or every other year. Speak with your healthcare provider about your risk of breast cancer and how often you should be screened. Transgender individuals should also be screened annually.
