[Mammography screening--neglected aspects of radiation risks]

It is generally assumed that the radiation risk from mass screening for breast cancer may be neglected. This is questionable in view of the high biological effectiveness of low energy X-rays used in radiography of the breasts. The hormone replacement therapy for elderly women must be considered as a further cause for unexpected high rates of radiation-induced breast cancer cases. Each normal population of women, moreover, contains a very radiosensitive subgroup: the women bearing a mutation of the gene BRCA 1 or BRCA 2. In these, repeated X-ray use must be definitely avoided.