Re: Rad Tech cancer incidenc

[muckerheide@highway1.com (James Muckerheide)]

Mike Bohan wrote:
> 
> Hi Radsafers!
> 
> I should put the old brain in gear before I reply!
> 
> I did a MEDLINE search and Voila, I came up with two hits!

Hi Mike,

Add the one below:

Regards, Jim Muckerheide
jmuckerheide@delphi.com

> (1)
> Authors
>     Mandel JS.
>    Title
>     Cancer risk in radiologic technologists: a collaborative University of
>     Minnesota/American Registry of Radiologic Technologists Epidemiologic
>     Study.
>    Source
>     Radiologic Technology.  58(3):261-8, 1987 Jan-Feb.
> 
> (2)
> Authors
>     Boice JD Jr.  Mandel JS.  Doody MM.  Yoder RC.  McGowan R.
>    Title
>     A health survey of radiologic technologists.
>    Source
>     Cancer.  69(2):586-98, 1992 Jan 15.
> 
> <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><
> Michael J. Bohan, RSO   |  e-mail: mike.bohan@yale.edu
> Yale-New Haven Hospital |    Tele: (203) 785-2950
> Radiological Physics    |     FAX: (203) 737-4252
> 20 York St. - WWW 204   |    As usual, everything I say may be plausibly
> New Haven, CT    06504  |    denied at my employer's convenience ...
> ><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
> 
> 
1.2.3.1 Medical practioners

>From the abstract of Boice et al, 1995, in the Journal of the American
Medical Association, reporting on a case-control study to evaluate the
risk of breast cancer among women occupationally exposed to ionizing
radiation as radiologic technologists:

	"A health survey of 105,385 women radiologic technologists
certified by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists since
1926. Among 79,016 respondents, 600 breast cancer cases were
identified. Each of 528 eligible subjects with breast cancer was matched
to five control subjects based on age, year of certification, and
follow-up
time."

	"Study subjects had been certified for a mean of 29 years; 63.8% of
cases and 62.6% of controls worked as radiologic technologists for 10
years or more. Significant increased risks for breast cancer were
associated with early age at menarche (for <11 years of age: RR=1.79;
95%
confidence interval [CI], 1.09 to 2.94), nulliparity (RR=1.36; 95% CI,
1.04
to 1.78), first-degree relative with history of breast cancer (RR=2.07;
95% CI, 1.56 to 2.74), prior breast biopsy (RR=1.53; 95% CI, 1.17 to
2.00),
alcohol consumption (for >14 alcoholic drinks per week: RR=2.12; 95% CI,
1.06 to 4.27), thyroid cancer (RR=5.36; 95% CI, 1.64 to 17.5),
hyperthyroidism (RR=1.66; 95% CI, 1.02 to 2.71), and residence in
the northeastern United States (RR=1.66; 95% CI, 1.19 to 2.30). Jobs
involving radiotherapy, radioisotopes, or fluoroscopic equipment,
however,
were not linked to breast cancer risk, nor were personal exposures to
fluoroscopy or multifilm procedures. Use of birth control
pills, postmenopausal estrogens, or permanent hair dyes also were not
risk factors. Based on dosimetry records for 35% of study subjects,
cumulative exposures appeared low. Among women who worked more than
20 years, the RR for breast cancer was 1.13 (95% CI, 0.79 to
1.64). 
	"More than 50% of the reported breast cancers could be explained by
established risk factors. Employment as a radiologic technologist,
however, was not found to increase the risk of breast cancer."

Boice, John D. , Jr, ScD; Jack S. Mandel, PhD; Michele Morin Doody, MS,
1995, "Breast Cancer Among Radiologic Technologists", JAMA 274:394-
401