title: The risk of radiation-induced breast cancers due to biennial mammographic screening in women aged 50-69 years is minimal.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The main aim of mammographic screening is to reduce the mortality from breast cancer. However, use of ionizing radiation is considered a potential harm due to the possible risk of inducing cancer in healthy women.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To estimate the potential number of radiation-induced breast cancers, radiation-induced breast cancer deaths, and lives saved due to implementation of organized mammographic screening as performed in Norway.
  
  
  METHODS
  We used a previously published excess absolute risk model which assumes a linear no-threshold dose-response. The estimates were calculated for 100,000 women aged 50-69 years, a screening interval of 2 years, and with an assumed follow-up until the age of 85 or 105 years. Radiation doses of 0.7, 2.5, and 5.7 mGy per screening examination, a latency time of 5 or 10 years, and a dose and dose-rate effectiveness factor (DDREF) of 1 or 2 were applied.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The total lifetime risk of radiation-induced breast cancers per 100,000 women was 10 (95% CI: 4-25) if the women were followed from the ages of 50 to 85 years, for a dose of 2.5 mGy, a latency time of 10 years, and a DDREF of 1. For the same parameter values the number of radiation-induced breast cancer death was 1 (95% CI: 0-2). The assumed number of lives saved is approximately 350.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The risk of radiation-induced breast cancer and breast cancer death due to mammographic screening is minimal. Women should not be discouraged from attending screening due to fear of radiation-induced breast cancer death.
authors: Norwegian Radiation Protection Authority, Østerås, Norway Department of Physics, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway Oslo and Akershus University College of Applied Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Radiography and Dental Technology, Oslo, Norway ingrid.helen.ryste.hauge@nrpa.no.
authors: Ingrid Helen Ryste
authors: IH
authors: Hauge
authors: Norwegian Radiation Protection Authority, Østerås, Norway.
authors: Kristin
authors: K
authors: Pedersen
authors: Norwegian Radiation Protection Authority, Østerås, Norway Department of Physics, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.
authors: Hilde Merete
authors: HM
authors: Olerud
authors: Department of Physics, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.
authors: Eli Olaug
authors: EO
authors: Hole
authors: Oslo and Akershus University College of Applied Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Radiography and Dental Technology, Oslo, Norway Cancer Registry of Norway, Oslo, Norway.
authors: Solveig
authors: S
authors: Hofvind
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008327:Mammography / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009381:Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D009664:Norway / Q000453:epidemiology; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
keywords: Breast; adults; mammography; radiation effect; radiation safety; screening