The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists is collaborating with the University of Minnesota and the U.S. National Cancer Institute in an ongoing study of cancer risk in radiologic technologists. The goal is to determine the risk of cancer from repeated low-dose exposure to ionizing radiation.
The effects of repeated low doses of radiation are poorly understood, particularly in women, the ARRT said, and the problem becomes even more complex when other known risk factors, such as smoking, are present. In an effort to learn more about occupational cancer risks, the ARRT study is focusing on more than 146,000 radiologic technologists who have been registered with the organization since 1980 or earlier, sending out questionnaires to be completed by members.
So far analysis has focused on radiologic technologists' deaths from cancer. One finding was that women who worked prior to 1940 or worked more than 30 years had higher rates of death from breast cancer. It was also found that the higher breast cancer rates were related to specific jobs held by the technologist, the ARRT said.
Current efforts are focusing on comparing cancer rates to actual dose records. In a separate effort, approximately 2,000 individuals have donated blood samples for researchers to use in comparing genetic makeup to the incidence of cancer.
More information is available at www.dceg.cancer.gov/radtechs.
By AuntMinnie.com staff writersMay 3, 2002
Copyright © 2002 AuntMinnie.com
