Hall 10 - Radiation Carcinogenesis

Question 1

What is the dose-response curve for tissue reaction (aka deterministic effects)?

Answer 1

Threshold-sigmoid

Little/no effect below threshold dose
Probability and severity of effect increase rapidly above threshold

Deterministic effect = effect due to damaged cells being killed

Question 2

What is the dose-response curve for stochastic effects?

Answer 2

Linear (no threshold)
No minimum safe dose
Probability (not severity) of effect increases linearly with dose

Stochastic effect = effect due to cells being changed or mutated

Question 3

What does the risk of radiation-induced cancer depend on?

Answer 3

Dose rate

Question 4

What is the population average cancer incidence and mortality risks per Sv?

Answer 4

10.8% risk of cancer incidence per Sv
5.4% risk of cancer mortality per Sv

Question 5

What organs are at highest risk of radiation induced carcinogenesis?

Answer 5

Bladder, breast, lung, thyroid

Question 6

What kinds of cancers did uranium miners get and what increased this risk?

Answer 6

Lung cancer from radon

Synergistic with tobacco use

Question 7

Does the risk of radiation-induced carcinogenesis vary with age?

Answer 7

Yes

Children more susceptible (especially thyroid and breast), up to 10-15x