Lung cancer ranks highest globally, reporting 2.26 million cases in 2019 and 1.8 million cases in 2020. Different aspects of cancer has been researcher to understand what increases or decreases the risk of cancer. One such aspect was the allergies and cancer link. Many previous studies have looked into this, however, most of them drew inconclusive answers. New research suggests that your allergies might actually be protecting you from cancer. A recent study published in the journal Frontiers in Medicine found a surprising connection between common allergies and a lower risk of developing lung cancer, especially in men and people with allergic rhinitis, also known as hay fever. The study looked at the relationship between different allergic diseases and the chance of getting lung cancer. It found that the type of allergy matters. For example, a history of asthma has been linked to a higher risk of lung cancer, but a history of allergic rhinitis or eczema might lower that risk. The researchers decided to exclude asthma from their study to avoid confusion from previous research. What Is The Link Between Cancer And Allergies? Scientists have a few ideas about why this link exists. One theory is that allergies boost the immune system's production of an antibody called immunoglobulin E (IgE). This IgE might help the body find and get rid of early-stage cancer cells before they can grow. Another theory suggests that constant immune stimulation from allergies could cause random changes in fast-growing cells, which could potentially increase the risk of cancer. However, the findings of this particular study support the idea that certain allergies offer a protective effect. How Does Having Allergies Lower Your Risk Of Cancer? The study was a meta-analysis, which is a type of research that combines and analyzes results from many different studies. In this case, researchers looked at 10 studies that included more than 3.8 million people to see if there was a link between allergic rhinitis (hay fever), eczema, and lung cancer risk. Here are the key takeaways from their findings: Allergies May Offer Protection The study found that people with allergies had a 25% lower chance of developing lung cancer compared to those who didn't have allergies. Allergic Rhinitis and Lung Cancer There was a strong connection between having allergic rhinitis and a lower risk of lung cancer. This was particularly noticeable in men and in people living in North and South America. Eczema's Link Overall, the study didn't find a strong link between eczema and lung cancer risk. However, it did find that eczema was associated with a lower risk of lung cancer specifically in men. Differences Between Genders The study showed that allergies seemed to offer a greater protective effect for men. Men with allergies had a 44% lower chance of getting lung cancer, while women with allergies had a 29% lower chance. The researchers noted that the study had a few weaknesses. For example, some studies relied on people's memory of their own diagnoses, which can sometimes be inaccurate. They stressed that more research is needed to fully understand these connections and to help develop better ways to assess and prevent cancer.