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19 March 2010

Answer to Question #6256 Submitted to "Ask the Experts"

Category: Medical and Dental Patient Issues — Diagnostic X Ray and CT

The following question was answered by an expert in the appropriate field:

In my lifetime I have received a significant number of diagnostic x rays. At age 36 I was diagnosed with prostate cancer. I am worried that the radiation exposure may have been the cause of my prostate cancer and that I may be predisposed to future cancers. Is there any way to test for radiation damage?

First, I am sorry to hear of your recent diagnosis and wish you the best.

It is impossible to show that a person's risk of cancer is based on his/her radiation exposure from diagnostic x-ray exams. Cancer is a naturally occurring biological process, and it is estimated about 42 percent of the population will develop a cancer sometime in their lifetime. Even for the atomic bomb survivors who received significant doses of radiation, excess cancer deaths were not easily demonstrated below doses of 0.20 Sv or 20 rem of exposure. With regard to diagnostic x-ray exams, few result in high radiation exposure, as stated in this fact sheet. For example, it would take 5,000 chest (LAT) x ray exams, each of which result in a dose of 0.04 mSv or 0.000 04 Sv, to total 0.20 Sv. Again, an increase the risk of cancer is insignificant at this dose value.

It should also be noted that certain organs or tissues have a higher risk of developing cancer following significant radiation exposure. The prostate is not considered an organ that shows any risk of becoming cancerous following radiation exposure. Also, there is no test that relates radiation exposure to cancer risks at exposure values associated with diagnostic x-ray exams.

As for the question of future cancers, I would recommend discussing this issue with your physician or oncologist. I would not think x-ray exams would be a contributing factor as there is no significant relationship between diagnostic radiation doses and observed cancer effects.

John Jacobus, MS
Certified Health Physicist

Answer posted on 23 March 2007. The information and material posted on this Web site is intended as general reference information only. Specific facts and circumstances may alter the concepts and applications of materials and information described herein. The information provided is not a substitute for professional advice and should not be relied upon in the absence of such professional advice specific to whatever facts and circumstances are presented in any given situation. Answers are correct at the time they are posted on the Web site. Be advised that over time, some requirements could change, new data could be made available, or Internet links could change. For answers that have been posted for several months or longer, please check the current status of the posted information prior to using the responses for specific applications.