title: Radiation exposure from imaging tests: is there an increased cancer risk?
abstract: The increasing exposure to low-dose radiation from diagnostic testing has prompted renewed interest in evaluating its carcinogenic risk, but quantifying health risk from low-dose radiation exposure remains controversial. The current approach is to adopt the linear non-threshold model, which is commonly applied to high-dose exposure, and apply it to assess risk from low-dose exposure. However, existing data are conflicting and limited to epidemiological studies and/or in vitro analyses. In this article, we will discuss the potential cancer risk from low- and high-dose radiation, their effects on DNA repair response pathways, and the best course of action for patients and providers to minimize risk.
authors: Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305-5111, USA. pnguyen@cvmed.stanford.edu
authors: Patricia K
authors: PK
authors: Nguyen
authors: Joseph C
authors: JC
authors: Wu
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004249:DNA Damage / Q000528:radiation effects; D004260:DNA Repair / Q000528:radiation effects; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D011839:Radiation, Ionizing; D011859:Radiography / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging / Q000009:adverse effects*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors