A latest research conducted by a team of researchers at Tufts Medical Center in Boston revealed that prenatal tests that are specifically designed to check flaws in fetus can also help to detect another dangerous condition.

According to researchers, detecting maternal cancer through such non-invasive tests may be extremely valuable. The study published in Tuesday's issue of JAMA involved eight cases of false positive results that had come back from fetuses suspected of having genetic abnormalities.

Researchers in conclusion stated that these false readings have not originated with the unborn child, but are rather altered DNA of the mother.

Study authors in an explanation said in cancer patients, certain strands of DMA may stem from cells that have already died and released the mutated DNA into the woman's bloodstream.

Study authors said that once such mothers are told that their babies may have certain chromosomal abnormalities and they might not survive, they rarely think about themselves.

But researchers said one of its study participant, two months after getting the results of the prenatal tests was admitted to the hospital with shoulder pain. It was later found that she had Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Researchers said they found that her own cancer provided the false positive results of the genetic tests and not the fetus.

Some follow-up tests confirmed that the baby was fine. But, study authors explain that false positives in the case of the mother-to-be might indicate a need for further testing, in the case of the mother and not the fetus.

The results of the study are very promising, said Dr. Diana Bianchi, Mother Infant Research Institute at Tufts. The study even suggests that false positives should always be checked and re-checked with additional tests as they can even originate from the mother and not her unborn child.