Seasonal Variations in Childhood Cancer Diagnosis
Author Information
Author(s): Ross J A, Severson R K, Swensen A R, Pollock B H, Gurney J G, Robison L L
Primary Institution: University of Minnesota Division of Pediatric Epidemiology and Clinical Research
Hypothesis
Is there a seasonal variation in the diagnosis of childhood cancers in the United States?
Conclusion
The study found some evidence of seasonal variation in the diagnosis of certain childhood cancers, particularly acute lymphoblastic leukaemia and hepatoblastoma, but not for all cancers combined.
Supporting Evidence
- There was no statistically significant seasonal variation in the month of diagnosis for all childhood cancers combined.
- A statistically significant seasonal variation was found for ALL with a peak in summer.
- 33% of hepatoblastoma cases were diagnosed in the summer months.
- For latitudes less than 40°, only CNS tumours demonstrated a seasonal pattern.
Takeaway
Doctors found that some childhood cancers are diagnosed more in certain seasons, like summer for leukaemia, but not all cancers show this pattern.
Methodology
Data from the Children's Cancer Group and the Pediatric Oncology Group were analyzed for seasonal incidence patterns from 1989 to 1991.
Limitations
The study's findings may not apply to all childhood cancers and the underlying biological mechanisms remain unclear.
Participant Demographics
Data included 20,949 incident cancer cases diagnosed in the USA.
Statistical Information
P-Value
P = 0.01 for ALL; P = 0.03 for rhabdomyosarcoma; P = 0.01 for hepatoblastoma; P = 0.002 for CNS tumours.
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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