Prenatal exams that detect genetic disorders early on appear to be helpful in detecting cancers in mothers as well, according to a study by Tufts Medical Center.
Doctors say that the findings are surprising as it paves way to a promising early diagnostic technique for cancers.
The study, which appeared in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) on Monday, involved blood tests from over 100,000 women analyzed for almost three years by a laboratory in Redwood City, California.
The study also found that almost 4,000 women (roughly three percent) showed results suggesting abnormalities in fetal chromosomes.
Ten cases showed that babies were born healthy; however, women were later found to have developed cancer, including leukemia, colon cancer, and lymphoma.
The study was focused on eight women, who were diagnosed with the disease within weeks to months after the test.
Dr. Diana Bianchi, lead researcher of the study said that the findings were "very unexpected," according to Boston Herald.
Bianchi said it is important for women to know that there is such possibility. She also added that women should not react immediately based on what they see on the screening results.
The test known as noninvasive prenatal testing (NIPT) has been on the market since 2011, according to Bianchi.
NIPT was considered a major breakthrough since it is able to detect genetic disorders in fetuses, such as Down Syndrome, just by assessing blood from expectant mothers.
Yet, the new discovery suggests it can also be used to detect hidden cancers in the mothers.
While the tests provide a helpful, noninvasive method, Bianchi advises that positive results indicating fetal problems still need to be confirmed by additional tests like amniocentesis.
A JAMA editorial stated that further studies are needed to help health experts find a way to counsel the women involved.
The authors presented their findings last July 13 at the International Society for Prenatal Diagnosis conference held in Washington, D.C.
