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Cancer

Ionising radiation can cause cancer. Cancers are malignant neoplasms. Malignant tumours affect an organ and leukaemia is a disease of the blood-forming system that has an effect on the whole organism. Much the same applies to lymphomas, malignant neoplasms of the lymphatic system which also affect the whole organism.

Research on the aetiology of childhood leukaemia

Environmental risk factors – among others chemical, physical or biological impacts - have long been known for many types of tumours (e.g. lung cancer from cigarette smoke, skin cancer from UV, genital tumours from tumour viruses). Cancer may, however, also occur spontaneouslyor be induced by genetic predisposition or lifestyle (especially diet). In contrast to this, knowledge about environmental risk factors for childhood leukaemia is unsatisfactory and characterised by little progress.

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