[ RadSafe ] X-rays linked to increased childhood leukemia risk

[BLHamrick at aol.com]

If this is the paper I'm thinking of (and, I'm 96% certain it is), one  
should also take note that the researchers did not distinguish amongst 
different  types of imaging.  There's a huge difference between a routine chest 
x-ray  (~10 millirem) and an abdominal/pelvic CT exam (~1 - 2 rem).  They also 
did  not mention if any attempt was made to determine if the parents 
understood that  ultrasound and MRI do not use ionizing radiation.  As I recall, the 
 imaging information was garnered exclusively through parental interview 
and not  by looking at any imaging records.  It is my opinion this study was  
poorly designed, and I am quite surprised it was even published.
 
Barbara L. Hamrick, CHP 
 
 
In a message dated 1/19/2011 8:56:44 A.M. Pacific Standard Time,  
cary.renquist at ezag.com writes:


Just  as we get a little sanity with respect to immunizations, a new
source of  woo is going to be scaring parents into making  poor
decisions...

Seems rather irresponsible to publish this -- if  what they are observing
was really caused by the x-rays, then there would  likely be a major
epidemic of leukemia.  My guess for a culprit is the  inflammation and
repair response involved in bone injuries or something  along those
lines.
Extraordinary results require extraordinary  evidence.

X-rays linked to increased childhood leukemia risk  
http://j.mp/gysNRq


... Specifically, the researchers found that  children with acute
lymphoid leukemia (ALL) had almost twice the chance of  having been
exposed to three or more X-rays compared with children who did  not have
leukemia. For B-cell ALL, even one X-ray was enough to  moderately
increase the risk. The results differed slightly by the region  of the
body imaged, with a modest increase associated with chest X-rays.  ...

Just checked, the paper is actually available for  download:
<http://ije.oxfordjournals.org/content/current>


Cary


---
Cary  Renquist
crenquist at isotopeproducts.com or  cary.renquist at ezag.com

_______________________________________________
You  are currently subscribed to the RadSafe mailing list

Before posting a  message to RadSafe be sure to have read and understood 
the RadSafe rules.  These can be found at: 
http://health.phys.iit.edu/radsaferules.html

For  information on how to subscribe or unsubscribe and other settings 
visit:  http://health.phys.iit.edu