Reviewing the evidence

Reviewing the evidenceWe also play a key role in sharing the results of our research. We have carried out two reviews of research into the causes of childhood leukaemia.

We don’t know what causes some children to develop leukaemia, although there are many theories. We have carried out detailed reviews of the evidence relating to two of the theories on the development of childhood leukaemia.

Exposure to electric and magnetic fields (EMF)

The first epidemiological study linking childhood leukaemia and exposure to EMF was published in 1979. More than 25 further studies have since investigated this association.

In 2005 we published our report "Do electric and magnetic fields cause childhood leukaemia?". This reviews the scientific evidence relating to electric and magnetic fields and their role in the development of childhood leukaemia.

Download our report- Do electric and magnetic fields cause childhood leukaemia?

Exposure to infectious disease

Speculations concerning a link between infections and childhood leukaemia were first published as long ago as the 1920s.

This theory fell out of favour for many years, re-emerging towards the end of the twentieth century, since when a great deal of compelling evidence has come to light.

In 2008 we published 'Does infection cause or prevent childhood leukaemia? A review of the scientific evidence.'

Download our report-Does infection cause or prevent childhood leukaemia?

Childhood Leukemia International Consortium

We are supporting this international endeavour, which brings together scientists from all over the world to unravel the causes of childhood leukaemia.

The Childhood Leukemia International Consortium was established in 2007. It aims to overcome limitations of small sample size in individual studies, especially for rare childhood leukaemia subtypes.

The Consortium brings together investigators from 23 studies in 13 countries as well as research groups interested in developing new studies.

The Consortium is gathering cases from around the world to pool data on factors associated with childhood leukaemia risk. This will help to increase the certainty of any associations which have been reported.

We have been supporting the costs of the annual CLIC meetings since 2008.

Read more: The Childhood Leukemia International Consortium

Reviewing the evidence

Help us by sharing this post

Sign up to our newsletter

Keep in touch

Short cuts