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A new study has found that living on a farm can
greatly increase the risk of Childhood Brain Tumors (CBTs).
Researchers examined data from several case-control
studies published between 1979 and 1998 and found that a majority of them
reported elevated risk for CBT with risk increasing up to 2.5 times for
maternal exposures and up to 6.7 times for children's exposures.
The largest increase was a 12-fold increased
risk for a type of tumor known as primitive neuroectodermal tumors (PNET),
with maternal exposure to pigs.
Brain tumors are the most common solid tumor in
children, but currently little is known about their causes, and only a
small percentage of cases can be attributed to established risk factors.
Exposure to farm animals and pets have been considered
as possible risk factors for childhood brain tumor (CBT) development since
numerous factors associated with farm life, including bacteria, pesticides,
solvents and some animal viruses, have been found to induce brain tumor
formation in animals.
Some studies have found viral gene sequences in
human brain tumors.
Additionally, epidemiological studies of brain tumors
in adults have reported an increased risk among veterinarians and farmers.
Paediatric & Perinatal
Epidemiology 2000; 14: 248-256
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