FLU or pollution could contribute to childhood cancer, according to North-East scientists.
Having studied neuroblastic tumours in children and young adults across northern England from 1968 to 2011, Newcastle University experts say environmental factors, such as common infections or atmospheric pollution, could be a contributory cause in the development of some childhood cancers.
They are calling for a larger national or international study to investigate the findings.
Dr Richard McNally said: “The causes of neuroblastic tumours are not very well understood, but both genetic and environmental factors are likely to be involved.
“Our study has found that neuroblastic tumours occur in mini-epidemics that are geographically widespread and occur at specific points in time.
“A primary factor influencing the incidence of these tumours may relate to exposure to environmental factors that vary over time as we found strong evidence of temporal clustering.
“We interpret this finding as suggesting that short-term environmental agents may be involved somehow in the initiation of the tumours.”
The research is published in the journal Environmental Health.
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