Will the LNT fiction kill again?

[Jim Muckerheide <jmuckerheide@delphi.com>]

Group,

Here's another uninformed application of the LNT. It has the potential to
result in decisions to avoid mammograms. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Br J Cancer 2000 Jan;82(1):220-6 

Radiation risk and mammographic screening of women from 40 to 49 years of age:
effect on breast cancer rates and years of life.

Mattsson A, Leitz W, Rutqvist LE

Oncologic Centre, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden. 

The aim of this study was to evaluate the carcinogenic risks associated with
radiation in mass mammographic screening. Assessment was in terms of breast
cancer mortality and years of life for a hypothetical cohort of 100 000 women.
Data were obtained on incidence, mortality and life expectancy for the female
population of Stockholm. With a screening interval of 18 months at ages 40-49
years, a total absorbed dose to the breast of 13 mGy per invited woman; and an
annual breast cancer reduction of 25% per year 7 years from screening start,
the net number of years gained was at least 2800. However, using the highest
absorbed dose reported in routine mammographic screening in Sweden
(approximately 3 mGy per view), and the highest reported radiation risk in the
literature, a programme entailing annual screening with 2 views would require
at least a 20% annual reduction in breast cancer mortality to give a net
benefit in both the number of years of life gained and number of breast cancer
deaths avoided. This observation supports the conclusion that exposures with
low absorbed dose are essential when performing mass screening with
mammography among young women. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Of 1000s of Br J Cancer medical readers, how many think this is just a
'conservative' analysis rather than a fiction? And how many women will pick up
on some report on this "peer-reviewed" assessment of 'risk'? How many (of
either group) will defer mammography in 40s women to avoid this "risk"? (Of
course, perhaps some who know the actual breast cancer risk data will become
better informed about the extent of LNT fiction? Because they didn't get the
DOE report on killing 23 people due to irradiation by LLW on passing
trucks/trains :-)

Regards, Jim
muckerheide@mediaone.net
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