A recent study looked into whether individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) have a higher-than-expected risk of cancer remains unknown.
A large population-based study in Sweden followed 2.3 million individuals from birth up to age 30 to explore whether autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is linked to an increased risk of cancer. The study found that while ASD alone does not increase cancer risk, individuals with ASD who also have intellectual disability (ID) and/or birth defects are at higher risk. Specifically, those with narrowly defined autistic disorder or ASD with comorbid conditions had a greater likelihood of developing cancer.
However, further analysis suggested that genetic or familial factors do not explain this link. These findings highlight the importance of considering co-occurring conditions when assessing health risks in autistic individuals.
תגובות