The incidence of cancer in children and adolescents has been increasing by 0.5 to 1 percent per year in the high-income countries with established cancer registries over the past few decades. Although the increase may in part reflect more frequent diagnosis facilitated by advanced imaging techniques, other factors may have also contributed. Exposures to high doses of ionizing radiation, high birth weight and certain genetic syndromes have been consistently associated with increased risk of cancer in children. The role of other risk factors, such as air pollutants, tobacco or pesticide use, older parental age, or fewer children per family is debated. Potentially protective effects of breastfeeding and folate supplementation are being investigated.
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