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Cancer risks associated with external radiation from diagnostic imaging procedures.
Martha S Linet1, Thomas L Slovis2, Donald L Miller3
1Radiation Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892-7238, USA. linetm@mail.nih.gov
CA: a Cancer Journal for Clinicians
|February 7, 2012
Summary
Medical radiation exposure has increased significantly, raising cancer concerns. Strategies like appropriateness criteria and lifetime radiation records are proposed to mitigate these risks from diagnostic imaging.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Medical Physics
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Medical radiation exposure has risen 600% since 1980, primarily from diagnostic procedures.
- This increase offers benefits but poses potential future cancer risks to patients.
- Understanding these risks is crucial for patient safety in medical imaging.
Purpose of the Study:
- Summarize epidemiologic data on cancer risks from diagnostic procedures.
- Relate current diagnostic procedure exposures to known cancer-risk radiation levels.
- Propose strategies to reduce radiation exposure from diagnostic imaging.
Main Methods:
- Review of radiation dose definitions and carcinogenesis mechanisms.
- Analysis of key epidemiologic studies on medical radiation and cancer.
- Examination of dose trends from diagnostic imaging procedures.
Main Results:
- Diagnostic imaging procedures are the main driver of increased medical radiation exposure.
- Cancer risks are evaluated from experimental data and projected future risks.
- Potential for elevated risks in genetically susceptible populations is noted.
Conclusions:
- Widespread adoption of evidence-based appropriateness criteria for imaging decisions.
- Oversight of equipment to ensure minimal effective radiation doses.
- Development of electronic lifetime imaging records for patients and physicians.
- Education of all stakeholders on radiation reduction strategies is essential.
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