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Personalized Cancer Risk Assessments for Space Radiation Exposures
Paul A Locke1, Michael M Weil2
1Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health , Baltimore, MD , USA.
Frontiers in Oncology
|March 5, 2016
Summary
Understanding individual susceptibility to radiation-induced cancers is crucial for space travel. This study explores additional risk factors beyond current models to personalize cancer risk assessments for astronauts, enhancing space safety.
Area of Science:
- Space Medicine
- Radiation Oncology
- Genetics
Background:
- Individual susceptibility to radiogenic cancers varies.
- Current NASA cancer risk models for astronauts include sex, age, and tobacco use.
- HZE ion-induced carcinogenesis susceptibility also shows inter-individual differences.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine additional risk factors for radiogenic cancer susceptibility in astronauts.
- To explore personalization of cancer risk estimates for spaceflight.
- To assess the impact of new risk factors on determining safe days in space.
Main Methods:
- Review of potential risk factors including medical history, pre-malignant cells, radiosensitivity assays, genetic polymorphisms, and postflight monitoring.
- Consideration of the Genetic Information Non-discrimination Act's implications.
Main Results:
- Identified several factors (medical history, genetic polymorphisms, radiosensitivity assays) that could refine astronaut cancer risk assessment.
- Highlighted the potential to personalize risk calculations beyond current models.
- Acknowledged legal and ethical considerations regarding genetic information use.
Conclusions:
- Incorporating additional risk factors can lead to more personalized cancer risk assessments for astronauts.
- Personalized risk estimates may influence the determination of safe durations for space missions.
- The Genetic Information Non-discrimination Act is a key consideration for NASA's data handling practices.
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