TLDR People with certain types of alopecia have a slightly higher risk of cancer, especially thyroid, bladder, and prostate cancers.
The study, involving 668,604 alopecia patients and 3,343,020 matched controls, found that individuals with alopecia areata (AA) and alopecia totalis/universalis (AT/AU) had a slightly increased overall cancer risk, with specific increases in thyroid cancer for both AA and AT/AU patients, and additional increases in bladder and prostate cancer risks for AA patients. The hazard ratios for overall cancer were 1.043 for AA and 1.07 for AT/AU. Despite these findings, there was no increased risk of skin cancer in AA patients. The study, which used data from the Korean National Health Insurance Service, highlighted the need for regular cancer monitoring in alopecia patients and further research to understand the relationship between alopecia subtypes and cancer risk. Limitations of the study included a lack of detailed information on alopecia characteristics, treatments, lifestyle factors, and follow-up duration.
144 citations,
July 2015 in “Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology” Alopecia areata is a common autoimmune disease affecting about 2% of people, causing significant disability and often associated with mental health issues and other autoimmune conditions.
105 citations,
March 2014 in “British journal of dermatology/British journal of dermatology, Supplement” Alopecia areata patients often have low vitamin D levels, suggesting they might benefit from vitamin D supplements.
9 citations,
January 2014 in “Medical Hypotheses” Higher DHT in male baldness may protect against prostate cancer.
6 citations,
December 2013 in “Journal of Dermatological Science” Women with alopecia may have a higher chance of getting thyroid cancer.
42 citations,
July 2013 in “Gene” IL-4 gene variation may increase the risk of alopecia areata in Turkish people.
34 citations,
June 2013 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology” Vertex pattern hair loss linked to higher prostate cancer risk.
17 citations,
February 2013 in “Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention” Early balding at 40 increases prostate cancer risk.
421 citations,
April 2012 in “The New England Journal of Medicine” Alopecia Areata is an autoimmune condition causing hair loss with no cure and treatments that often don't work well.
28 citations,
June 2010 in “European Journal of Cancer” Baldness at age 40 is not linked to a higher risk of aggressive prostate cancer.
391 citations,
January 2010 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology” Half of people with Alopecia Areata may see hair regrowth within a year without treatment, but recovery is unpredictable.
46 citations,
July 2007 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology” Alopecia areata causes significant emotional distress, including high rates of depression and anxiety.
18 citations,
January 2010 in “Dermatology Research and Practice” DPCP treatment for alopecia areata can sometimes cause vitiligo.
