RE: Does Size Matter? -Reply

[Charles Willis <CAW@nrc.gov>]

Sara, et al.,

This gets complicated in a hurry.  Skinny people tend to get higher internal doses
but larger and/or more numerous fat cells may shield the more sensitive cells from
external radiation.   Also, thin folk tend to live longer and therefore be more likely
to develop cancer.  Conversly, a high fat diet is said to increase the risk of  colon
cancer.  The 1992-5 data indicate that the over all cancer risk in the US is
somewhat higher than the risk in Japan.  Of course, there are sex differences.  The
age adjusted male cancer death rate in Hungary is about 3.5 times that in Mexico. 
It is interesting but not simple.

Charlie Willis
caw@nrc.gov
************************************************************************
The RADSAFE Frequently Asked Questions list, archives and subscription
information can be accessed at http://www.ehs.uiuc.edu/~rad/radsafe.html