Chapter 8 Other Cancers

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Other Cancers: Leukemia and Childhood Cancers

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A study in the British Journal of Cancer found that children whose fathers smoked a

pack a day or more had a 30% higher risk for developing cancer than did other

children. "Damaged sperm is the likeliest culprit," said one of the study doctors, from

the University of Birmingham, England.

Reuters, November 18, 1997

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Men who smoke father children who are far more likely to die of cancer. 15% of

childhood cancers may be from this cause.

CBS News, December 11, 1996

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Men who smoke can damage their sperm and increase the risk of cancer in their

children.

Reuters, December 16, 1996

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In a study from Shanghai, China, "paternal smoking prior to conception may be

associated with an increased risk for all childhood cancers combined and particularly

for childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia, lymphoma, and brain tumors. The

elevated cancer risk was confined to children under age 5 years at diagnosis and

associated with paternal smoking starting prior to conception, suggesting the

possibility of prezygotic genetic damage." Children whose fathers smoked more than

five pack-years prior to their conception had adjusted odds ratios of 3.8 for acute

lymphoblastic leukemia, 4.5 for lymphoma, 2.7 for brain tumors, and 1.7 for all cancers

combined. Other studies have found an increase in neuroblastoma and

rhabdomyosarcoma in children whose fathers smoke. Cigarette smoking increases

oxidative DNA damage in human sperm cells, and causes mutations in germ cells.

Journal of the National Cancer Institute, February 5, 1997, pp. 238-244

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Thursday, July 06, 2000

Page 13 of 18

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