Infliximab No Cancer Risk

Is there an increased cancer risk from Infliximab? 

What the research really says

A client recently told me they’d heard that Infliximab increases cancer risk by 80 percent. It immediately rang alarm bells —because I knew that it wasn’t true. 

As someone who works with people dealing with complex health conditions like Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis and autoimmune issues, I know how frightening it can be to hear these kinds of claims. If you’re already worried about your health, the idea that a medication might dramatically raise your cancer risk could be enough to put you off something that might actually help you.

So I did what I always do. I looked at the data.

Where does the cancer risk claim come from?

I couldn’t find a single reputable source that supports the idea that Infliximab carries an 80 percent increased risk of cancer. This number appears to be a myth, possibly born from misinterpreted statistics.

Sometimes people confuse a small risk that doubles making it sound big. But if the original risk was tiny, even doubling it still means the chance is very low.

What the research actually shows

Infliximab is a TNF-alpha inhibitor commonly used to treat inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis. It works by suppressing part of the immune system to reduce inflammation.

Here’s what the data actually says:

Lymphoma Risk: Some studies have shown a slightly increased risk of lymphoma in people taking TNF inhibitors like infliximab. But the conditions being treated, like Crohn’s or rheumatoid arthritis, already carry a higher baseline risk of lymphoma due to chronic inflammation. It’s hard to separate the risk from the disease itself.

Skin Cancer: There’s some evidence that non-melanoma skin cancers (like basal cell carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma) may be slightly more common in people on TNF blockers. Regular skin checks are a good idea but the risk remains low.

Overall Cancer Risk: Large-scale reviews and data from the FDA, European Medicines Agency (EMA) and independent researchers do not show a significant increase in overall cancer risk from infliximab. For most people, especially those with moderate to severe disease, the benefits far outweigh the small potential risks.

Why this matters

Scare stories like this can dissuade people from taking medication that could genuinely improve their quality of life or prevent complications. I’ve seen people delay treatment out of fear, potentially worsening their condition unnecessarily. We all want to make informed decisions but that means understanding the real risks, not reacting to exaggerated ones.

As someone who supports clients with complex medical needs I always encourage a balanced, evidence-based approach. Infliximab isn’t risk-free, no drug is, but the idea that it dramatically raises cancer risk simply doesn’t hold up under scrutiny.

What to do if you’re concerned

If you’re worried about starting or continuing infliximab, talk to your consultant or IBD nurse. They can discuss the latest data and help weigh up the pros and cons for your individual case. You might also want to:

• Have regular skin checks
• Monitor bloods and general health routinely
• Support your immune system naturally with good nutrition, sleep and stress management

And if you’re feeling overwhelmed by fear around medication it can help to talk it through with someone who understands the emotional side of long-term illness.

Bottom Line:
Infliximab does not raise your cancer risk dramatically. There’s a small increased risk of some cancers, mainly lymphoma and non-melanoma skin cancers, but the absolute risk remains very low and the benefits of the drug can be life-changing for many people.

If you'd like help with the emotional or physical toll of living with IBD feel free to get in touch. I combine nutritional therapy and mind-body approaches to help clients feel more in control of their health.