There are a limited number of published studies that have investigated the incidence and cause of primary bone cancers. When the charity first formed, Dr Richard McNally received one of our first ever research grants in 2008 to investigate key findings in previously published literature with a focus on childhood and young adults cancers, osteosarcoma and Ewing sarcoma.
During such research it was thought that the incidence of bone cancer in children and young adults varied with area based socio-economic status and may be related to the level of fluoride in drinking water. To expand on the research previously funded by the Bone Cancer Research Trust, Dr McNally and his team undertook a comprehensive national study to clarify or dispute this finding and indicate directions for future research.
The team analysed data from 1980 to 2005 and used monitored fluoride levels obtained from water companies in order to compare the fluoride levels with bone cancer incidence in this time frame. The team found there to be NO association between fluoride levels in drinking water and the incidence of osteosarcoma or Ewing sarcoma.
Dr Richard McNally worked with the Bone Cancer Research Trust again in 2010, you can read more on this project here