¹Non-communicable Disease Epidemiology Unit, Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, UK

Correspondence: Dr A Shah, E-mail: anjali.shah@lshtm.ac.uk

Received 27 April 2007; Revised 27 July 2007; Accepted 30 July 2007; Published online 21 August 2007.

Abstract

We provide evidence of a gradual increase in the incidence of childhood leukaemia over the twentieth century from examination of trends in both incidence and mortality in England and Wales. We conclude that much of the recorded increase is likely to be real.