Epidemiologic Studies of Ionizing Radiation and Cancer: Past Successes
and Future Challenges
Jonathan M. Samet
Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins University,
Baltimore, Maryland
Abstract
The health effects of radiation have been a focus for research since early in the 20th century. As the century ends, extensive experimental and epidemiologic evidence has been accumulated that addresses the adverse consequences of radiation exposure; epidemiologic studies of radiation-exposed groups from the general population and specific occupational groups provide quantitative estimates of the cancer risks associated with exposure. This report provides a perspective on the extensive epidemiologic evidence on the health effects of ionizing radiation and on likely needs for further epidemiologic research on radiation and health. Epidemiologic studies have proved informative on the quantitative risks of radiation-caused cancer but we now face the challenges of more precisely characterizing risks at lower levels of exposure and also of assessing modifiers of the risks, including dose rate, genetic susceptibility, and other environmental exposures. This report considers investigative approaches, such as pooled analysis of multiple data sets, that can be used to address these complex questions and the limitations of these approaches for addressing societal concerns about the risks of radiation exposure. -- Environ Health Perspect 105(Suppl 4):883-889 (1997)
Key words: cancer, dose response, epidemiology, exposure, radiation, radon, risk factors, uranium miners
This paper is based on a presentation at the symposium on Mechanisms and Prevention of Environmentally Caused Cancers held 21-25 October 1995 in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Manuscript received at EHP 16 April 1996; accepted 12 June 1996.
Address correspondence to Dr. J.M. Samet, Department of Epidemiology, School of Hygiene and Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, 615 North Wolfe Street, Suite 6039, Baltimore, MD 21205-2179. Telephone: (410) 955-3286. Fax: (410) 955-0863. E-mail: jsamet@phnet.sph.jhu.edu
Abbreviations used: BEIR, biological effects of ionizing radiation; ERR, excess relative risk; high-LET, high linear energy transfer; IARC, International Agency for Research on Cancer; ICRP, International Commission for Radiological Protection; low-LET, low linear energy transfer; NCRP, National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements; UNSCEAR, United Nations Scientific Committees on the Effects of Atomic Radiation.
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Last Update: June 19, 1997