Investigators noted an increasing pattern of relative risk for breast cancer in relation to increasing levels of likely exposure to gamma radiation, suggesting a possible link between dose of radiation and increased risk. However, they concluded that overall there was no significant relationship between likely exposure to gamma radiation and breast cancer mortality.
"A relationship between gamma radiation and breast cancer has been noted in other investigations, but emissions from the TMI incident were significantly lower than in other documented studies," said Dr. Talbott. "Therefore, it is unlikely that this observed dose trend is related to radiation exposure on the day of the accident." To fully explore the relationship between low-level radiation and breast cancer, an in-depth case-control study would be necessary, she said.
While the authors found no consistent evidence suggesting that the low-dose radiation released during the TMI accident had a measurable impact on the mortality of those living in the area for 13 years after the event, they acknowledge that further study is warranted.
"Because the latency period for many cancers is 20 years or more, continued follow-up on the TMI residents will provide a more comprehensive look at their mortality, as well as morbidity, from various cancers," said Dr. Talbott. The University of Pittsburgh research team is currently analyzing data collected through 1999 on the same population.
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Contact: Kathryn Duda
dudak@msx.upmc.edu
412-624-2607
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
27-Apr-2000