Childhood Cancer Survivors' Exposure to Chemotherapy, Radiation Does Not Increase Risk of Birth Defects in their Children
Monday, December 12, 2011 - 16:30
in Health & Medicine
Summary of a study being published online December 12, 2011, in the Journal of Clinical Oncology finding children of childhood cancer survivors do not have an increased risk for birth defects - despite the fact that their parents received treatment with radiation and/or certain forms of chemotherapy that can damage the DNA of cancer cells and healthy cells alike. The findings provide reassurance to cancer survivors about the potential effects of their own treatment on their children, and help guide family planning.