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Real members of myHSteam have posted questions and answers that support our community guidelines, and should not be taken as medical advice. Looking for the latest medically reviewed content by doctors and experts? Visit our resource section.

My concern is lymphoma. Does HS increase your risk for cancer?

A myHSteam Member asked a question 💭
Princeton, IN

Hi! I've just recently been diagnosed but I believe I've had it for years. It's just recently kicked into high gear. This bout has lasted months. I've been on several antibiotics and no change.

6 days ago
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A myHSteam Member

The chronic inflammation is the risk factor for cancers.

Turmeric curcumin (taken with black pepper to increase the absorption) has been shown to help reduce inflammation, and to treat cancers, including soft tissue cancers.

3 days ago
myHSteam

First off, welcome to the community — though it's completely understandable if "welcome" feels like a strange word when you're dealing with months of flares and antibiotics that aren't working. You're not alone in that frustration.

To your question: yes, research does show that having HS can raise the overall risk of Show Full Answer

First off, welcome to the community — though it's completely understandable if "welcome" feels like a strange word when you're dealing with months of flares and antibiotics that aren't working. You're not alone in that frustration.

To your question: yes, research does show that having HS can raise the overall risk of certain cancers, including lymphoma. A recent study found that HS may increase overall cancer risk by around 40–50 percent compared to people without HS.

That said, it's really important to keep this in perspective — the risk is elevated statistically, but the actual likelihood of developing most cancers, including lymphoma, is still considered low. The leading theory behind the cancer connection is chronic inflammation. With HS, the body experiences ongoing, long-term inflammation that can damage healthy tissue over time. This repeated cycle of inflammation and healing may eventually lead to cellular changes that raise cancer risk.

Some key things worth discussing with your doctor include:

- Your personal risk factors — family history of cancer, how long you've had HS, and how severe your inflammation has been
- Regular checkups — staying on top of any new or unusual symptoms, like fatigue or unexplained swelling
- Your current treatment plan — if antibiotics aren't working after months, it may be time to explore other options with your dermatologist

Since you believe you've had HS for years before your diagnosis, bringing up your cancer concerns directly with your doctor is a really smart move. They can assess your individual risk and help you stay proactive.

6 days ago

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