[ RadSafe ] Prostate Cancer Linked to Diagnostic X-rays

[Otto Raabe]

July 31, 2008

AS  REPORTED BY NEWSMAX.COM:

Prostate Cancer Linked to X-Rays

British researchers have linked prostate cancer with X-rays. A study 
conducted by the University of Nottingham shows a connection between 
diagnostic radiation and elevated risk of young-onset prostate 
cancer, which affects about ten percent of men diagnosed. Young-onset 
prostate cancer is by definition found in men before the age of sixty.

The study included 431 men diagnosed with prostate cancer. It showed 
that men who had typical diagnostic X-rays in the form of barium 
enemas or X-rays of the pelvis or hip in the previous ten years, were 
two and a half times more likely to be stricken with prostate cancer 
than the population at large. In men with a family history of the 
disease, the link appeared even stronger.

The study also emphasized that the evidence that ties X-rays to 
prostate cancer is still weak at this stage. Professor Kenneth Muir, 
who led the study, said, "Although these results show some increase 
in the risk of developing prostate cancer in men who had previously 
had certain radiological medical tests, we want to reassure men that 
the absolute risks are small and there is no proof that the 
radiological tests actually caused any of the cancers."


Prof. Otto G. Raabe, Ph.D., CHP
Center for Health & the Environment
University of California
One Shields Avenue
Davis, CA 95616
E-Mail: ograabe at ucdavis.edu
Phone: (530) 752-7754   FAX: (530) 758-6140