Colds May Trigger Childhood Cancers

Tiger4 writes "BBC News is reporting that the incidence of childhood cancers may be affected by the colds that child has had. From the Article: 'Scientists have found further compelling evidence infections such as colds may trigger childhood cancers. The University of Newcastle-led team looked at 3,000 childhood cancers in 0 to 14-year-olds from 1954 to 1998, the European Journal of Cancer reported. Researchers found unusual clusters of brain tumors and leukemia which were typical of infection-related disease.' As much as an 8 percent increase was observed. However, the article goes on to say that some risks go down with very early exposure to other children, 'In April, a Leukemia Research Fund study found that children introduced to nursery before the age of one were found to be at lower risk of leukemia.'"

Comments

Re:Cause or correlation?

[ChrisKnight]

Given that the vast majority of cervical cancer turned out to be a result of HPV infection, it easily falls into the realm of possibility that other cancers have their roots in viral infections, such as colds, as well.

-Chris