SISTER STUDY RESEARCH

In-utero and newborn factors and thyroid cancer incidence

A new Sister Study analysis examined whether exposures during the prenatal period and at birth could influence a woman's risk of developing thyroid cancer later in life. The study used information reported by participants about their parents' health and behaviors before and during pregnancy, as well as their own birth characteristics. Researchers found that women whose mothers had high blood pressure or diabetes when pregnant with them were more likely to develop thyroid cancer as adults. Higher birth weight was also associated with higher risk. Further research with more detailed information on early-life conditions is needed to confirm these findings and better understand the biological mechanisms involved.

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In-utero and newborn factors and thyroid cancer incidence in adult women in the Sister Study cohort.