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A recent study by prof. Tone Bjørge, University of Bergen, and his team show that thyroid cancer is linked to in utero exposures.
Thyroid cancer is diagnosed at a younger age than most other malignancies, and its incidence is higher in women than in men.
“The only modifiable risk factors established for thyroid cancer are children’s exposure to ionizing radiation and obesity. Few in utero and early risk factors have been identified so far,” says Bjørge, professor at the Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen.
Maternal hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, goiter, and benign thyroid neoplasms linked to higher risk
The team conducted a nested case-control study using data from the national registry of four Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden). The study included 2,437 thyroid cancer cases and 24,362 matched controls aged 0 to 48 years from 1967 to 2015.
“Maternal benign thyroid conditions such as hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, goiter, and benign thyroid neoplasms were strongly associated with the risk of thyroid cancer in the offspring. In addition, high birth weight, congenital hypothyroidism, a maternal history of diabetes and postpartum maternal hemorrhage were associated with an increased risk, ”says Bjørge.
Motivation for further research
The study supports a link between in utero exposures and an increased risk of thyroid cancer later in life.
“These findings should motivate further research into early exposures that can lead to thyroid cancer,” says Bjørge.
Source of story:
Material provided by The University of Bergen. Original written by Ingrid Hagerup. Note: Content can be changed for style and length.
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