No increased risk of mothers of children with autism having androgen-related cancers in an Australian population based sample

Abstract

Background Some past studies have suggested a link between autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and testosterone related cancers. This study explored androgen-related cancer in mothers of children with and without parent-reported ASD in a prospective Australian population based sample.

Methods Odds of self-reported breast, uterine and cervical cancer in mothers of children with and without parent-reported ASD in the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children. This prospective population based study contains two cohorts of children recruited at birth or 4 years of age.

Results Of 324 children with parent-reported ASD and 6,948 without, there were no significantly increased odds for children with ASD and mother breast (AOR 1.20 [95 % CI .50, 2.87]), uterine (AOR .92 [95 % CI .05, 15.78]), cervical (AOR 1.23 [95% CI .46, 3.25]) or all cancers (AOR 1.13 [95% CI .58, 2.21]).

Conclusions This study found no evidence to support an increased or decreased androgen related cancer risk in mothers of children with parent-reported ASD.