The Medical Thread

[BigRedBeta]

Not sure about the fetal stem cell thing except that research as to what these cells do when they're there is pretty new (the fact that the cells do cross the placenta has been fairly well known for a while I believe).

As for the childless vs. children most of the "female parts" cancers have prolonged estrogen exposure as a risk factor. Therefore early menarche, late menopause and zero pregnancies increases your risk for endometrial, ovarian, and breast cancer. Given the newness of research exploring the function of fetal stem cells, I imagine there's little way to quantify how much of the risk reduction is due to their presence at this point (and I think even when there's a better idea of what they do, it'll still be tough to put a number on it).

Also, you don't have to be so formal about my "field of study"...I'm just a third year medical student (well a third year for two more weeks) who happens to read a lot of science news stuff rather than medical text books...

[cheerfulgreek]

Originally Posted by BigRedBeta

Not sure about the fetal stem cell thing except that research as to what these cells do when they're there is pretty new (the fact that the cells do cross the placenta has been fairly well known for a while I believe).

As for the childless vs. children most of the "female parts" cancers have prolonged estrogen exposure as a risk factor. Therefore early menarche, late menopause and zero pregnancies increases your risk for endometrial, ovarian, and breast cancer. Given the newness of research exploring the function of fetal stem cells, I imagine there's little way to quantify how much of the risk reduction is due to their presence at this point (and I think even when there's a better idea of what they do, it'll still be tough to put a number on it).

Also, you don't have to be so formal about my "field of study"...I'm just a third year medical student (well a third year for two more weeks) who happens to read a lot of science news stuff rather than medical text books...

Thanks for this. I just thought it may have been a possibility that fetal cells stimulate the mother's immune system or something. I wasn't sure.

A 1st year vet student...well, 2nd year in a few months, chatting with a 4th year med student, makes it kind of hard to be less formal. I won't be as formal next time. lol

Thanks again.