Aetiology of bone cancer, and some other cancers, in the young.

The well-known peak of bone cancer during the second decade was found to be closely associated with changes in growth velocity at the adolescent growth spurt, for males and females in England and Wales. Distinct accumulations in the second and third decades could be recognized for cancers of ovary, testis, prostate and thyroid. It was suggested that these accumulations and also the bone cancer peak might be a consequence of the growth and development which occur at puberty.