Childhood Cancer

Although childhood cancer is a life-threatening disease with an increasing incidence since the middle of the last century, the etiology remains largely unknown. Few risk factors, including radiation, genetic abnormalities, chemotherapeutic agents, and in utero exposure to diethylstilboestrol (a synthetic estrogen) are well-established. This leaves more than 95% of all childhood cancer cases with an unidentified etiology.

The establishment of risk factors for childhood cancer is crucial in clinical practice both with respect to the prevention of cancer in children, but also to elucidate potential underlying mechanisms. Using the unique nationwide Danish population-based registries, we explore several possible risk factors for childhood cancer with a high degree of statistical power and validity.

Contacts:

Marie Hargreave, mariehar@cancer.dk
Susanne Krüger Kjær, susanne@cancer.dk