No increased risk of cancer near Sellafield or Dounreay in recent years

No increased risk of cancer near Sellafield or Dounreay in recent years

Children, teenagers and young adults living near Sellafield or Dounreay since the 1990s are not at an increased risk of developing cancer according to research published in the British Journal of Cancer.

Researchers from the Childhood Cancer Research Group at the University of Oxford and from Newcastle University studied cancer rates between 1963 and 2006 among those who were under 25 and living near Sellafield or Dounreay when diagnosed.

No difference was found in cancer incidence from 1991-2006 between those living near these nuclear and the general population. But the study confirmed the raised risks of cancer, particularly leukaemia, already reported for earlier time periods.

Kathryn Bunch, lead author on the study, said: "For many years, there have been concerns over the potential raised cancer risk among people – particularly children – who live near nuclear installations. This study found that children, teenagers and young adults living close to Sellafield and Dounreay are no longer at an increased risk of developing cancer.

"Furthermore, there is no evidence of any increased risk of cancer later in life for those who were born near these power plants."

The numbers of cancers observed around Sellafield and Dounreay were compared with those expected from national cancer registration rates using census derived population estimates.

Overall, leukaemia is the eleventh most common cancer in the UK, but it accounts for around a third of all cancers diagnosed in children.

Dr Julie Sharp, Cancer Research UK's head of health information, said: "There has been a lot of concern that could increase the risk of , particularly leukaemia. This study is reassuring for anyone who happens to be living near a power plant, as it shows no among children, teenagers or young adults in recent years."

More information: "Updated investigations of cancer excesses in individuals born or resident in the vicinity of Sellafield and Dounreay." K J Bunch, T J Vincent, R J Black, M S Pearce, R J Q McNally, et al. British Journal of Cancer DOI: 10.1038/bjc.2014.357

Journal information: British Journal of Cancer
Provided by Cancer Research UK
Citation: No increased risk of cancer near Sellafield or Dounreay in recent years (2014, July 23) retrieved 19 March 2024 from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2014-07-cancer-sellafield-dounreay-years.html
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