Radiation-induced cancer and its modifying factor among A-bomb survivors

Journal Article · Thu Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1987 · Int. Symp. Princess Takamatsu Cancer Res. Fund; (United States)

OSTI ID:6171441

Kato, H

The Atomic Bomb Casualty Commission (ABCC) and its successor, the Radiation Effects Research Foundation, have conducted a long-term follow-up study of a cohort of 120,000 atomic bomb (A-bomb) survivors and non-exposed controls since 1950. The most recent findings regarding cancer mortality and incidence in this cohort can be briefly summarized as follows: 1) An increase in leukemia mortality among A-bomb survivors peaked 5-6 years after the bombing and has decreased with time thereafter. In addition to leukemia, the incidence of cancer of the lung, breast, esophagus, stomach, colon, thyroid, ovary, urinary tract, and multiple myeloma increases with dose. At present, there is no indication of an increase in cancer of the rectum or uterus among A-bomb survivors. In general, radiation-induced solid cancers begin to appear after the age at which they are normally prone to develop, and have continued to increase with time in proportion to the natural increase in mortality of the control group. 2) There are factors which modify the effects of radiation, such as age at the time of bombing (ATB) and sex. Sensitivity to radiation, in terms of cancer induction, is higher for persons who were young ATB in general, than for those who were older ATB. 3) There was no increase in childhood cancer among those exposed while in utero, but there is a recent indication of an increase in cancer incidence among these persons as they age. 4) There seems to be no interaction in a multiplicative way between radiation and smoking and lung cancer induction.

• Research Organization: Radiation Effects Research Foundation, Hiroshima (Japan)
• OSTI ID: 6171441
• Journal Information: Int. Symp. Princess Takamatsu Cancer Res. Fund; (United States), Journal Name: Int. Symp. Princess Takamatsu Cancer Res. Fund; (United States) Vol. 18; ISSN XY899
• 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
DELAYED RADIATION EFFECTS
DISEASE INCIDENCE
DISEASES
HEMIC DISEASES
HUMAN POPULATIONS
IMMUNE SYSTEM DISEASES
JAPAN
LEUKEMIA
MORTALITY
NEOPLASMS
POPULATIONS
PREGNANCY
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIOINDUCTION
RESPONSE MODIFYING FACTORS
SEX DEPENDENCE