MS Linked to Higher Cancer Risk

MONDAY, July 1, 2019 -- Multiple sclerosis is a tough disease to manage and live with, but a new, long-running Norwegian study suggests it might also raise cancer risk.

Overall, the higher risk was small -- just 12%. However, the risk of certain cancers -- such as central nervous system (brain, spinal cord and optic nerve) cancers and urinary cancers were around 50% higher in people with multiple sclerosis (MS). And respiratory cancers were about two-thirds more likely to occur in people with MS, the study found.

Obesity Could Worsen MS Disability

WEDNESDAY, June 12, 2019 -- Obesity can worsen multiple sclerosis symptoms, researchers say.

Their study involved 140 patients with the relapsing-remitting form of MS, which means patients have periods of attacks (relapses), followed by periods of remission with no or few symptoms. The researchers found that obesity at the time of diagnosis was associated with more severe disability.