Jump to content
This site uses cookies. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. More Info... ×
  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.




  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):



    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):


  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Family History Of Intestinal, Colon Cancers?


Tidings

Recommended Posts

Tidings Explorer

Hi again,

Was wondering if others here who have diagnosed Celiac Disease have noted a trend of intestinal or colon cancers in their family tree? Was doing some research in that regard recently and noted that several family members have died from intestinal or colon cancer (father, grandmother on mother's side, aunt on mother's side, cousin on mother's side), so it sounds like there is a definite trend toward intestinal cancers on both sides of this family tree.

This leads me to wonder if these people might have had undiagnosed/unrecognized Celiac Disease all or part of their lives which actually progressed on to terminal cancer in their intestines. Would like to hear from others, just out of curiosity, to hear whether they have noticed something similar in their ancestors or other relatives that would suggest unrecognized Celiac or gluten intolerance in their family trees.

Thanks for taking time to read and respond!


Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



christine89 Newbie

Hi again,

Was wondering if others here who have diagnosed Celiac Disease have noted a trend of intestinal or colon cancers in their family tree? Was doing some research in that regard recently and noted that several family members have died from intestinal or colon cancer (father, grandmother on mother's side, aunt on mother's side, cousin on mother's side), so it sounds like there is a definite trend toward intestinal cancers on both sides of this family tree.

This leads me to wonder if these people might have had undiagnosed/unrecognized Celiac Disease all or part of their lives which actually progressed on to terminal cancer in their intestines. Would like to hear from others, just out of curiosity, to hear whether they have noticed something similar in their ancestors or other relatives that would suggest unrecognized Celiac or gluten intolerance in their family trees.

Thanks for taking time to read and respond!

I have wondered the same thing. I have had many relatives that have suffered from intestinal cancer as well. I guarantee there is a link due to celiac disease being genetic, and also not being easy to diagnose in the past.

Kim27 Contributor

From what I've read (could be wrong!) the most common type of cancer in untreated celiac is intestinal lymphoma and even then it doesn't happen too, too often. I don't *think* a celiac's colon cancer risk is heightened because of having celiac. What have others read?

Aphreal Contributor

We have colon cancer, IBS, Crohns (I suspect Celiacs too) all in my family and all on the female side. My girls have issues with their guts too. I feel bad because I know what they are in for pain wise.

frieze Community Regular

i would wonder if it might be tied into a particular genentic subgroup?

it would seem possible that the intestinal damage may predispose one to Ca...

nikelodeon79 Rookie

My grandma has never been tested for Celiac Disease but she has similar symptoms as I did pre-diagnosis. She has had colon cancer in the past... not sure if it's related at all, though.

SaraKat Contributor

There are no incidences of it in my family at all.


Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



leikela Newbie

I have colon cancer in my family's history. My paternal grandmother had it (and her sister died from it - plus other members of her family had it also), and my dad is at risk. When I told my grandma all of my Celiac symptoms she replied, "Oh my!! You sound just like me!" Then she preceded to describe to me classic Celiac symptoms that have been going on for years. My dad has complained of issues with his "system" for as long as i can remember as well. That's just a few people, I suspect there are more family members on that side suffering the symptoms. None of them want to be tested though, because the thought of giving up gluten is just more than their little minds can handle. ;) Sad, but true. I keep telling them to get tested, but it's just easier for them to live in painful ignorance I guess.

T.H. Community Regular

Personally, I think it's entirely possible. If anyone has celiac disease, then they'd have the immuno-compromised issue AND the nutrition deficit. Combine that with similar genetics (within a family, I mean), and I think it wouldn't be too much of a stretch to imagine some similar issues.

My family doesn't have colon or intestinal cancer, but there are some similarities within the family. After I started telling family members about our diagnosis, I've found out that the following are relatively high in my family:

1. Lung and breathing difficulties that don't track like normal asthma or illness would. These contributed to a few deaths in the past few decades.

3. Lots of little issues that have one thing in common: the docs always say 'we never see this happen in someone your age.' Tumors, cancers, heart trouble, glaucoma - all happening earlier than expected.

Many in our family have died younger than expected for the same type of thing. Cancers that hit very young, heart trouble very young, etc... Definitely some kind of trend in our family, and it sounds like yours, too. Whether Celiac caused or not, who knows, but I imagine that if it's not caused by celiac disease, there could definitely be some kind of genetic connection to whatever IS causing the cancers, ya know?

txplowgirl Enthusiast

I have not tested for celiac, and I refuse to. But, I believe I have it especially with the family history I have.

My father died of colon cancer. He had it for close to 10 years before it got him, but I can remember him having stomach problems as far back as I can remember. He had his gallbladder out when I was 10. The dr's told him he wouldn't have his problems anymore after it came out but everything just came back. Anyway, his mother had ovarian cancer, her sister lung cancer.

He had 3 brothers and one sister with everything from lung cancer to stomach cancer. I have a cousin at the age of 28 die from brain stem cancer. I have a 34 yr old cousin who is battling liver cancer. 5 cousins with breast cancer, kidney and colon cancer.

My mother lost her only sister a couple months ago to esophageal and lung cancer. She lost 4 of 7 brothers to stomach and colon cancer, her father to stomach cancer and 3 of his sisters to lung, colon and breast cancer. Several cousins to breast, lung and colon cancers.

All total 46 relatives on both sides of the family. These are aunts, uncles and first cousins down to 3rd and 4th cousins.

Family reunions sometimes were a hoot because after eating it was usually a race to see who got to the bathroom first.

My brother is so convinced he will get cancer that he dosen't intend to go gluten free. He just dosen't believe that a lot of his health problems will resolve if he would, even with my showing him that it dosen't have to happen.

Anyway, that is the motivation keeping me gluten free. I just remember what my father's life was like the last several years.

srall Contributor

Not colon cancer but type 2 diabetes is rampant.

TXPLOWGIRL, my brother is exactly the same. I know beyond a doubt he is intolerant to gluten. His symptoms have been much more severe than mine over the years, but his attitude is that he might as well enjoy life while he's here. Personally I'm enjoying my life much more now that I'm not dealing with the millions of health issues I was dealing with 6 months ago.

mushroom Proficient

Not colon cancer but type 2 diabetes is rampant.

TXPLOWGIRL, my brother is exactly the same. I know beyond a doubt he is intolerant to gluten. His symptoms have been much more severe than mine over the years, but his attitude is that he might as well enjoy life while he's here. Personally I'm enjoying my life much more now that I'm not dealing with the millions of health issues I was dealing with 6 months ago.

Yeah, I have a sister who says, "Well I just get on with it", meaning what, killing yourself? I says to myself. When she comes to stay, on the way from the airport she always says "Do you have enough toilet paper?" :lol::blink:

crimsonviolet Apprentice

My maternal grandmother died of colon cancer just before I was born. My mother has polyps on her colon and has been on cancer watch for years.

K8ling Enthusiast

I am adopted on one side so I didn't find out about my family history on my biological mothers side until later, but apparently there is an uncle with early bowel cancers, and all the women have bowel problems (IBS/Crohns). My dad has Celiac markers but refuses to stick to gluten-free and his mother has crohns.

I though it was VEEEERY interesting to find all this out.

adab8ca Enthusiast

My father died of colon cancer when he was 52.

I was only 2 years oldbut my siblings said he had stomach problems for YEARS, took Maalox all the time etc....so who knows...

gf-soph Apprentice

I have a very small family so not much chance to see any patterns that may show up in a larger group. Saying that, my grandmother survived colon cancer in her 50s, she came very close to dying. She recently went gluten free and is doing amazing, from her symptoms we think she's had gluten problems all her life.

I recently had a precancerous colon polyp removed, which is very uncommon in my age group (25). I will be monitored every 3 years, as they expect them to recurr, and they would progress to cancer if left there.

I don't think it's coincidence that we both are the ones with big gluten problems and I have unusual polyp development, luckily the the rest of the family has escaped it so far, but my sister hasn't had her colonoscopy yet.

Charlie's Girl Apprentice

On my mother's side- my mother has complete bowel prolapse after numerous surgeries- she was previously diagnosed with "IBS", one female cousin died of stomach and colon cancer and another cousin/her sister had her colon removed as she "always had problems with it." Though no one can or will explain to me what these problems were. She won't talk to me about celiac/gluten intolerance either.

rdunbar Explorer

My Grandfather died of colon cancer, my uncle presently is suffering from colon cancer and endless other health problems, weight problem, and diabetes.

My dad passed away a little over 3 months ago of lung cancer ( he did'nt even smoke), so i've been a real mess.

My grandmother passed away just over a year ago at 99, and she survived cancer twice, the first time before I was even born, and i'm 43.

Tidings Explorer

Thank you to all who have answered in this thread thus far. Very interesting, the way so many of us have folks with "stomach problems" including intestinal cancers in our family tree. Most of the books I've read about Celiac disease do suggest that untreated Celiac can progress to various cancers. Knowing this, especially when you've lost relatives to intestinal cancers, certainly does give one more incentive to STAY ON THE Gluten-free DIET!

sbj Rookie

Just wanted to add on if any are still reading. I have Lynch syndrome also known as HNPCC (Hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer). This is a genetic condition that predisposes one to colon cancer and a few others types of cancer. Up to 15% of all colon cancers are conencted to HNPCC. If there is a history of colon cancer occurring at younger than expected ages in your family, I urge you to read up:

Open Original Shared Link

If you meet all of the following criteria, you can have genetic testing performed to see if you have HNPCC:

* Three or more family members with a confirmed diagnosis of colorectal cancer, one of whom is a first degree (parent, child, sibling) relative of the other two

* Two successive affected generations

* One or more of the HNPCC-related cancers diagnosed under age 50 years

If you have a family history of cancer then you should speak to your doctor about cancer screening.

It's very important to keep an accurate family medical history. That means not only who had cancer but the specific type of cancer.

I also have celiac disease but I have only ever read that untreated celiac can lead to intestinal lymphoma in a very few cases.

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.


  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):



  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      129,157
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748

    MariaTariq
    Newest Member
    MariaTariq
    Joined

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):


  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.2k
    • Total Posts
      71.5k

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):





  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):



  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • Dora77
      It wasnt really eye catching, but they were small stains which looked like dried out liquid. I dont know if it was normal or shouldve been just completely clean. But if someone didnt pay attention, it wouldnt be noticeable.
    • RMJ
      If there were stains or particles on a drink can in an area that would either contact the drink or my lips, I would wash that can whether or not I had celiac disease.
    • Bebygirl01
      You are on the money, but I should also add that Italian, French and other countries research shows exactly what I have said. Our FDA is behind the ball when it comes to this research and I am hopeful that Kennedy can straighten this out soon, albeit he is giving the food companies too long to just remove food dyes from our foods when in fact they have to remove all that in order to sell for example, in the UK as they aren't allowed such things. The food companies and the cola companies have also changed their formulas to have just sugar in them instead of corn gluten aka high fructose corn syrup and corn starch in them. Misinformation here in America is a very dangerous thing. I also have been grain free for a long time now and at no time can I even have the smallest amount of corn gluten -I recently got glutened from a supplement that claimed to be grain free yet upon further research I found that it had erythritol (corn sugar) in it and that is what got me sick for 7 days straight. I am not hopeful to ever be able to add back into my diet any of the grain glutens, but perhaps those who were only gluten intolerant might be able to, but for me being celiac, I have no hope in that. Thank you for the article, I will add it to my collection of research as I am collecting everything I can find on this subject and posting it on X as well as other places.  I also don't use psuedo grains i.e. quinoa as that also reacts negatively with my gut, so I am 100% a cassava/tapioca/arrow root girl and that is my go to bread replacement. There are some new items made with chicpea/green peas that are sold as rice alternatives, i bought one to try but haven't yet. So food companies are getting creative, but like you said, I am fresh whole foods and don't buy many processed foods, I make my own cheese, ketchup, pickles, jams, etc.
    • Dora77
      There were small spots (stains) on the drinking area at the top of the energy drinks can from the store that looked as the same color as milk — maybe oat milk (Hafermilch) or a wheat-based drink (Weizendrink), but I’m not sure what it was. There were also some particles that looked like either flour or dust, but not many. Could it have been a gluten-containing drink spilled onto the can or just regular small stains which I shouldn‘t worry about? Do you watch out for stuff like that or am I overthinking? Would it cause damage to a celiac?
    • Scott Adams
      This is such an important discussion! While corn gluten (zein) is structurally different from wheat gluten, emerging research suggests some celiac and gluten-sensitive individuals may still react to it, whether due to cross-reactivity, inflammation, or other factors. For those with non-responsive celiac disease or ongoing symptoms, eliminating corn—especially processed derivatives like corn syrup—might be worth exploring under medical guidance. That said, corn’s broader health impact (GMOs, digestibility, nutritional profile) is a separate but valid concern. Like you mentioned, ‘gluten-free’ doesn’t automatically mean ‘healthy,’ and whole, unprocessed foods are often the safest bet. For those sensitive to corn, alternatives like quinoa, rice, or nutrient-dense starches (e.g., sweet potatoes) can help fill the gap. Always fascinating (and frustrating) how individualized this journey is—thanks for highlighting these nuances! Many people with celiac disease, especially those who are in the 0-2 year range of their recovery, have additional food intolerance issues which could be temporary. To figure this out you may need to keep a food diary and do an elimination diet over a few months. Some common food intolerance issues are dairy/casein, eggs, corn, oats, and soy. The good news is that after your gut heals (for most people who are 100% gluten-free this will take several months to two years) you may be able to slowly add some these items back into your diet after the damaged villi heal. This article may be helpful:    
×
×
  • Create New...