Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
Lorna Benson
St. Paul, Minn.

Research: Kids of older mothers have higher risk of cancer

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Log inCreate a free Account

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

University of Minnesota researchers say babies born to older mothers have a slightly increased risk of developing cancer during childhood.

Previous research has hinted at this possibility, but those studies have been small. In contrast, the U of M study was much larger.

University researchers examined the birth records of more than 17,000 children diagnosed with cancer, and compared them to nearly 58,000 kids who did not have cancer.

Lead researcher Logan Spector says with every five-year increase in maternal age, the risk of childhood cancer increases about 7 to 10 percent.

"I don't think these findings should be worrisome to anyone considering having a child, because the absolute risk of childhood cancer remains so small," said Spector. "It's really not something that should factor into anybody's personal decision."

Spector said the research doesn't indicate why the risk for childhood cancer increases as mothers age. But the study found that the father's age does not seem to matter.

The results are published in the July 2009 issue of the journal Epidemiology.