This study was published in Gut 1989;30:333-338
Study title and authors:
Malignancy in coeliac disease--effect of a gluten free diet.
G K Holmes, P Prior, M R Lane, D Pope, R N Allan
Gastroenterology Unit, General Hospital, Birmingham.
This study followed 210 celiac patients for 21 years to find the association between a gluten free diet and cancer.
The study found:
(a) Celiac patients who followed a normal diet had a 10 fold increase in cancer rates compared to the general population.
(b) Celiac patients who followed a "off and on" gluten free diet had a 5 fold increase in cancer rates compared to the general population.
(c) The excess cancer was mainly of the mouth, pharynx, oesophagus and white blood cells.
(d) Celiac patients who followed a strict gluten free diet had similar cancer rates as the general population.
Holmes concludes the results of the study are suggestive of a protective role for a gluten free diet against cancer.
AMAZON USA The Gluten Connection: How Gluten Sensitivity May Be Sabotaging Your Health--And What You Can Do to Take Control Now
