INFLUENCE OF IONIZING RADIATION ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF BREAST CANCER

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Radiation Biology
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Breast cancer (BC) incidence is rising globally, posing a significant healthcare challenge.
• The mammary gland (MG) is highly sensitive to ionizing radiation (IR), a known environmental carcinogen.
• Previous studies highlight IR as a critical risk factor for BC development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze epidemiological features of breast cancer development under ionizing radiation exposure.
• To identify key factors influencing the risk of radiation-induced mammary gland tumors.
• To assess the impact of IR, including low doses, on breast cancer incidence.

Main Methods:

• Review of epidemiological and experimental studies on ionizing radiation and breast cancer.
• Analysis of risk models, including absolute and relative risks.
• Examination of data from atomic bombings and the Chornobyl disaster.

Main Results:

• Age at irradiation, exposure frequency, dose, and co-existing non-neoplastic diseases significantly impact radio-induced MG tumor risk.
• Excess radiation-induced cervical cancer cases observed in women post-Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings.
• Small doses of IR post-Chornobyl disaster caused wave-like changes in breast cancer incidence.

Conclusions:

• Ionizing radiation is a critical environmental factor in breast cancer etiology.
• Mammary gland sensitivity to IR necessitates careful consideration of radiation exposure risks.
• Radiation-induced breast cancer incidence can manifest spontaneously and is influenced by various exposure-related factors.