People treated for Hodgkin's disease as children could have an increased risk of developing cancer a...
People treated for Hodgkin's disease as children could have an increased risk of developing cancer as adults, according to Cancer Research UK scientists.
Those treated between 1955 and 1986 have been found to be more likely to develop leukaemia, tumours of the breast and lung, bowel and stomach cancer.
Scientists believe the increased risk is the result of children being given radiotherapy or chemotherapy to the chest area - a standard treatment before 1986. The study found survivors treated with chemotherapy, radiotherapy or a combination of both were nearly 20 times more likely to develop a second cancer later in life than their peers.
The Government announced it will offer breast screening to young women who received the treatment. Scientists believe it is also essential to offer regular screening for bowel cancer as well as careful monitoring for the early signs of other cancers linked to the treatment.
"In the past, children with Hodgkin's disease were treated with radiotherapy, chemotherapy or a combination of the two. The treatment was so successful nearly all patients survived but, as a result, we are now uncovering evidence of subsequent cancers developing among survivors," said Professor Jillian Birch from the Cancer Research UK paediatric and familial cancer group at the University of Manchester.
Researchers found 30 of the 1,400 children who had received radiotherapy to the chest area developed breast cancer in later life. There were 42 breast cancers in this group of 30, with cancer occurring in both breasts in some cases. This compares to one expected case in the general population.
