What do recent epidemiological studies tell us about the risk of cancer from radiation doses typical of diagnostic radiography?. Issue 1 (December 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Harbron, R.W.
• Is Part Of: Radiography. Volume 22:Issue 1(2016)supplement 1
• Page Start: S41
• Page End: S46
• Publication Date: 2016-12
• Subjects: Epidemiology -- Cancer -- Radiation protection; AT ataxia telangiectasia -- CI confidence interval -- CNS central nervous system -- ERR excess relative risk -- HR hazard ratio -- ICRP International Commission on Radiological Protection -- INWORKS International Nuclear Workers Study -- IRR incidence rate ratio -- LNT linear-no-threshold -- LSS Life Span Study -- MDS myelodysplastic syndrome -- NF neurofibromatosis -- SIR standardised incidence ratio -- SMR standardized mortality ratio -- TSC tuberous sclerosis complex; Diagnostic imaging -- Periodicals; Radiotherapy -- Periodicals; Cancer -- Radiotherapy -- Periodicals; Diagnostic Imaging -- Periodicals; Neoplasms -- Periodicals; Radiotherapy -- Periodicals; Imagerie pour le diagnostic -- Périodiques; Radiothérapie -- Périodiques; Cancer -- Radiothérapie -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 616.0757
• DOI: 10.1016/j.radi.2016.08.007
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1078-8174

Abstract

Abstract: The last five years have seen unprecedented efforts to gain further understanding of the cancer risks following exposure to radiation doses below 100 mGy. Research has focused on occupationally exposed groups, populations exposed to elevated background radiation levels and children undergoing computed tomography scans. This review summarises the main findings of these studies and discusses the implications for diagnostic radiography. On balance, recent studies strengthen the association between radiation exposure at diagnostic dose levels and the risk of developing cancer at low doses. Although subject to considerable uncertainties, the risks to patients and staff from exposure to X-rays at diagnostic dose levels appear to be small, but non-zero. Despite the improved statistical power of recent studies, a number of shortcomings are apparent. These include dosimetric uncertainties and the potential confounding effects of cancer pre-disposing conditions and pre-existing tumours. Highlights: The risk of cancer from radiation doses below around 100 mGy is uncertain. A number of new studies have been published with reasonably high statistical power. These studies strengthen the association between X-rays and cancer at low doses. Large uncertainties remain, however.