Incidence of female breast cancer among atomic bomb survivors, Hiroshima and Nagasaki, 1950-1980

Journal Article · Sun Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1987 · Radiat. Res.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2307/3577254· OSTI ID:5719982

Tokunaga, M; Land, C E; Yamamoto, T; Asano, M; Tokuoka, S; Ezaki, H; Nishimori, I

Ascertainment of breast cancer incidence among the cohort of the RERF Life Span Study extended sample identified 574 breast cancers among 564 cases diagnosed during 1950-1980 of which 412 cancers were reviewed microscopically. There were no dose-dependent differences with respect to diagnostic certainty or histological type. As in previous studies, the dose response appeared to be roughly linear and did not differ between the two cities. The most remarkable new finding was the emergence of a radiation-related excess among women under 10 years of age at exposure. The risk of radiogenic breast cancer appears to decrease with increasing age at exposure, whether expressed in relative or absolute terms. These results suggest that exposure of female breast tissue to ionizing radiation at any time during the first four decades of life, even during the premature stage, can cause breast cancer later in life, and that the length of time that tumor promoters such as endogenous hormones operate following exposure has an important influence on the development of radiation-induced breast cancer. An unresolved question is whether breast cancer risk is increased by radiation exposure at ages older than 40.

• Research Organization: Kagoshima Univ., Japan
• OSTI ID: 5719982
• Journal Information: Radiat. Res.; (United States), Journal Name: Radiat. Res.; (United States) Vol. 112:2; ISSN RAREA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560151* -- Radiation Effects on Animals-- Man
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
A-BOMB SURVIVORS
AGE DEPENDENCE
ASIA
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BIOLOGICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
BODY
CARCINOGENESIS
DELAYED RADIATION EFFECTS
DISEASE INCIDENCE
DISEASES
GLANDS
HUMAN POPULATIONS
IONIZING RADIATIONS
JAPAN
MAMMARY GLANDS
NEOPLASMS
ORGANS
PATHOGENESIS
POPULATIONS
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIATIONS
RADIOINDUCTION
RISK ASSESSMENT