Cold—cancer Link

Common infections that affect mothers and babies might trigger certain types of childhood cancer, according to a report in the December issue of the European Journal of Cancer.A team led by Richard McNally (University of Newcastle upon Tyne, UK) analysed more than 3,000 childhood cancer cases, in individuals of 0-14 years of age, that occurred over a 45-year period.They found unusual clusters of brain tumours and leukaemia that were typical of infection-related diseases (BBC News, 12 December 2005)."We found that place of birth was particularly significant, which suggests that an infection in the mother while she is carrying her baby, or in a child's early years, could be a trigger factor in cancer … these could be minor common illnesses, such as a cold, mild flu or