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Mesothelioma and Shingles
People who have developed cancer have a higher risk of acquiring the condition known as shingles. This risk might not necessarily apply to those who have been diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma of the pleura or peritoneum, but they should be aware of the risk, nonetheless, and aware of their prevention options.
“Shingles” is the common name for a condition known medically as herpes zoster[1]. It occurs as a re-emergence of the varicella-zoster virus — the same one that causes chicken pox[2]. Anyone who has developed chicken pox as a child and especially as an adult is at an increased risk of having shingles. Shingles most often tends to affect adults age 50 or older, and those 60 or older are at a higher risk for serious complications[3]. Rarely, shingles can lead to permanent eye damage, loss of vision, or even death if left unmanaged.
Around 1 out of 3 in the U.S. will acquire shingles in their lifetime[4]. This risk could potentially go down now that an effective vaccine for chicken pox and the varicella-zoster virus has been developed. While an average of 4 million people a year in the U.S. developed chicken pox in the early 1990s, the vaccine now prevents an estimated 3.5 million cases[5].
Studies show that individuals with cancer have a higher statistical risk of developing shingles. Looking generally at all cancers, anyone with a diagnosis has a 40% higher chance of developing shingles compared to those who do not have cancer[6].
At least one epidemiological study shows that certain types of cancer have an increased association with the risk of developing shingles. Those with blood cancers, such as lymphoma and leukemia, and those with myeloma have an astounding 424% higher chance of acquiring shingles. Other cancers, including those affecting the lungs, stomach, breast, bladder, kidney, or colorectal organs, have a 10% to 50% increased risk[7].
Because of this increased risk, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommend that anyone with a cancer diagnosis receive a shingles vaccine[8].
While shingles does have a connection to those with cancer, the varicella-zoster virus does not seem to raise the risk of developing cancer on its own[9].
Finally, it is worth noting that mesothelioma does have another connection to the building material known as “shingles.” Asbestos exposure is known to dramatically raise the risk of mesothelioma[10], and asbestos fibers were once commonly used in building materials as a strengthening agent and flame retardant[11]. Roofing shingles are one such asbestos-containing material.
Anyone handling roofing shingles that were manufactured between the 1930s and 1970s should be cautious about the possibility of asbestos exposure. Additionally, those who handled such materials regularly during the course of roofing, construction, or demolition work should be aware of their increased risk of developing mesothelioma.
[1] https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/infectious-diseases/herpesviruses/herpes-zoster
[2] https://medlineplus.gov/shingles.html
[3] https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/shingles/symptoms-causes/syc-20353054
[4] https://www.cdc.gov/shingles/about/overview.html
[5] https://www.cdc.gov/chickenpox/about/index.html
[6] https://www.idsociety.org/news–publications-new/articles/2018/cancer-patients-face-higher-risk-for-shingles-new-vaccines-hold-promise-for-prevention/
[7] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5518853/
[8] https://news.cancerconnect.com/treatment-care/shingles-vaccine-available-for-at-risk-individuals-cancer-patients-mAJXRN-NBEODhINSvo-DOw/
[9] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3478374/
[10] https://medlineplus.gov/mesothelioma.html
[11] https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/asbestos/docs/asbestos_factsheet_508.pdf
