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An American study reveals that people who have suffered from cancer in childhood present an increased risk of serious health problems after 50 years. This population group which should grow at the same time as the effectiveness of treatments are progressing. Indeed, in the United States, nearly 15,000 children and adolescents are diagnosed with leukemia, lymphoma or other cancer each year. The 5 -year survival rate is 85 % today, against only 58 % a few decades ago. In France, according to figures from the Gustave-Roussy Institute, 1 in 440 children will be suffering from cancer before its 15th birthday, 2,500 children and adolescents are affected each year.
Dr. Saro Armenian, hematologist-oncologist at the City of Hope children’s anti-cancer center (California), and his team analyzed a database listing 40,000 people diagnosed with cancer before the age of 21. They then identified people still alive at 50 and compared the number of new cancers in this population at the cancer rate in the general population. They also assessed the risk of chronic disease in these patients compared to that of their siblings.
5 times more likely to die of cancer after 50 years
Their results were published Tuesday August 11 in the journal Journal of clinical oncology. They indicate that this group of people has a higher risk of secondary cancers and 5 times more likely to die from the disease than the rest of the general population over 50.
They also have a much higher risk of heart disease, at 55, than in their brother and sister at 70. They also felt more difficult for effort and presented a less good general health.
Radiation therapy, the main risk factor
Scientists were also able to determine that radiotherapy was the main risk factor for this population group. No significant consequences for health was associated with chemotherapy. “Radiation therapy damages cellular DNA, which can lead to mutations and the development of new cancers”, Cons up in a press release from Dr. Armenian, principal author of the study.
The results obtained by researchers relate to treatments administered in the 1970s and 80s. Radiotherapy is today avoided when possible, replaced by targeted treatments or immunotherapy.
However, researchers call for more vigilance about these patients. “Some should be tested for diseases such as breast or colon cancer at an earlier age than that recommended for the general population”, underlines Dr. Armenian.
Source : City of Hope, Journal of clinical oncology, Gustave-Roussy