Studies of cancer and radiation dose among atomic bomb survivors: the example of breast cancer

Article Abstract:

The Radiation Effects Research Foundation's long-term follow-up of atomic bomb survivors yields valuable information about radiation-related breast cancer risk and provides new insight into cancer development. The risk of breast cancer among atomic bomb survivors increases almost linearly as the radiation dose increases. Most radiation-related breast cancers occur in women exposed to radiation at a young age and in those exposed to the highest radiation doses. Most breast cancers in women exposed later in life and in those who received the lowest radiation doses would have occurred without radiation exposure. The excess risk of breast cancer in Japanese atomic bomb survivors can be translated to US medically-irradiated women, although other factors may affect the breast cancer risk. Young women who bear a child have a reduced risk of radiation-induced breast cancer. The extremely high risk of early-onset breast cancer among survivors who were exposed to radiation early in life suggests that some women may be genetically predisposed to radiation-induced breast cancer.

Atomic bomb victims

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Depot medroxyprogesterone acetate and breast cancer: a pooled analysis of the World Health Organization and New Zealand studies

Article Abstract:

Depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) may be associated with an increased risk of breast cancer within the first five years of use, but does not appear to increase the risk overall. DMPA (Depo-Provera) is a synthetic hormone used as an injectable contraceptive for women. Researchers analyzed data from two studies of DMPA use and breast cancer in four countries. These studies included 1,768 women with breast cancer and 13,905 without (controls). There was essentially no increased risk of breast cancer found among all women who had ever used DMPA. However, women who had started using DMPA within five years of the studies were found to have twice the risk of breast cancer as controls. This was true across all age groups. One possible explanation for the increased rate of breast cancer among women who recently started using DMPA is that the DMPA accelerates the growth of already existing, but undetectable, tumors.

Medroxyprogesterone, Contraceptive drugs, Injectable, Injectable contraceptives, Depo-Provera (Contraceptive)

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Breast cancer among radiologic technologists

Article Abstract:

Radiation technologists do not appear to have an increased risk of breast cancer attributable to job-related radiation exposure. Researchers collected medical history data from 79,016 female radiologic technologists and compared those with breast cancer to those without breast cancer. An increased risk of breast cancer was significantly associated with an early onset of menstruation, not bearing a child, a previous breast biopsy, and having an immediate relative with breast cancer. Alcohol consumption of more than 14 drinks per week doubled the breast cancer risk. Technologists who administered radiotherapy, fluoroscopy, or radioisotopes did not have an increased risk of breast cancer. Cumulative job-related radiation exposure was unrelated to breast cancer risk. Technologists who were x-rayed during personal illnesses did not have an increased risk of breast cancer.

Radiation workers

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