RB Astro topic 10 Flashcards
1
Q
What is radiation crystallogenesis?
A
An area heavily covered on the boards related to radiation and risk.
2
Q
What are deterministic effects?
A
Effects that have a known threshold dose and severity related to dose.
3
Q
Give an example of a deterministic effect.
A
Radiation-induced cataracts.
4
Q
What are stochastic effects?
A
Effects that occur by random chance, potentially inducing mutations even at low doses.
5
Q
What is the linear non-threshold effect?
A
The concept that there is no threshold for low dose radiation exposure.
6
Q
In the US, what is said about radiation exposure and cancer risk?
A
There is no dose that’s too small to induce cancers.
7
Q
What is the current terminology for deterministic effects in the US?
A
Tissue effects or tissue reactions.
8
Q
What is the significance of the term ‘Severt’?
A
Used to measure stochastic effects, particularly related to cancer and mutations.
9
Q
What units are used when discussing radiation dose in the clinic?
A
Gray.
10
Q
What is the shape of the curve for stochastic effects?
A
Linear non-threshold or linear quadratic non-threshold.
11
Q
What type of curve is associated with deterministic effects?
A
Sigmoidal curve.
12
Q
Can mental retardation be considered a stochastic effect?
A
Yes, if it involves a mutation in eggs or sperm.
13
Q
What is the most important group for studying radiation risk to humans?
A
Japanese atomic bomb survivors (Lifespan Study).
14
Q
What is the population size of the Japanese atomic bomb survivors study?
A
120,000 people.
15
Q
What type of cancer is associated with radiation exposure in patients treated for severe arthritis?
A
Leukemia.
16
Q
What type of cancer is associated with radiation therapy to the thymus in children?
A
Thyroid cancer.
17
Q
What was the result of X-ray treatment for tinea capitis?
A
Development of thyroid and skin cancer.
18
Q
What is thorotrast and what was its consequence?
A
A contrast medium that resulted in liver cancer due to alpha particle irradiation.
19
Q
What is the risk associated with radiation exposure of less than 10 gray?
A
Higher risk for stomach cancer.
20
Q
What is the relationship between smoking and lung cancer in uranium and radium miners?
A
Significantly increased risk when combined with smoking.
21
Q
What was a common late somatic effect in irradiated populations?
A
Skin cancer.
22
Q
What condition did Marie Curie suffer from due to her work with radium?
A
Leukemia.
23
Q
What was the practice of radium dial painters in the 1920s?
A
Painting watch dials with radium-based paint.
24
Q
What is the modern practice for X-ray films in dental procedures?
A
Using a bite block instead of holding the film in place.
25
What was the primary health risk associated with early radiology practices?
Skin cancer and leukemia due to radiation exposure
## Footnote
Early radiologists and technicians were often exposed to high levels of radiation without modern safety measures.
26
Which leukemia is not induced by radiation exposure?
Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)
## Footnote
Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) and Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) are both induced by radiation.
27
What is the relationship between uranium mining and cancer risk?
Increased cancer risk with longer exposure, especially when combined with smoking
## Footnote
Non-smokers have a lower risk, but it increases significantly when combined with smoking.
28
List the organs considered to be highly radiogenic.
* Bone marrow
* Female breast
* Salivary glands
* Thyroid
## Footnote
These organs have a high incidence of developing cancer due to radiation exposure.
29
What is the typical latency period for thyroid tumors following radiation exposure?
Incidence starts to rise around four years after exposure, peaking at seven to eight years
## Footnote
Most tumors are gone by 20 years post-exposure.
30
What type of cancer is the first malignancy to appear after radiation exposure?
Leukemia
## Footnote
The peak incidence of leukemia is observed between seven to twelve years after exposure.
31
What is the significance of the Chernobyl disaster in relation to thyroid cancer?
Increased incidence of thyroid cancer due to exposure to radioactive iodine
## Footnote
Most cases were papillary thyroid carcinomas, often treatable.
32
True or False: The linear non-threshold model suggests that any amount of radiation exposure increases cancer risk.
True
## Footnote
This model is widely accepted in the U.S. for assessing cancer risk from radiation.
33
What factors complicate risk assessments for low-dose radiation exposure?
* Limited data on low doses
* Lack of large population studies
* Differences in populations and lifestyles
## Footnote
Most studies have been based on the Japanese population from the 1940s.
34
Fill in the blank: The _______ model suggests that there is a beneficial effect of low-dose radiation exposure.
Hormesis
## Footnote
This model posits that low levels of radiation may have positive effects on health.
35
What is a significant finding regarding breast cancer following radiation exposure?
Some breast cancers can appear as early as 12 years post-exposure
## Footnote
The expected risk remains high throughout life.
36
What is the primary cause of thyroid cancers observed after the Chernobyl disaster?
Consumption of milk contaminated with I-131
## Footnote
Delays in communication about the disaster led to widespread contamination through food sources.
37
List some common solid tumors associated with radiation exposure from Japanese bomb survivors.
* Bladder
* Breast
* Lung
* Thyroid
* Colon
* Stomach
* Liver
## Footnote
The order of risk can vary, but these are significant cancers linked to radiation exposure.
38
True or False: The risk of cardiovascular disease increases with radiation exposure.
True
## Footnote
There is emerging evidence suggesting that radiation exposure may also play a role in non-cancer effects like cardiovascular disease.
39
What is the main controversy regarding the dose-response relationship for radiation exposure?
Debate exists over whether there is a linear response at low doses or a potential threshold
## Footnote
Different countries have varying acceptance of these models.
40
What is a common issue with historical studies on radiation exposure?
Limited ability to save samples and perform molecular analysis
## Footnote
This has hindered understanding of long-term effects and risks associated with radiation.
41
What type of cancers have been observed to increase following radiation exposure?
Solid cancers and some non-cancer effects
## Footnote
There is a particular interest in cardiovascular disease and degenerative diseases.
42
True or False: There is a high risk of cardiovascular disease from low-dose radiation exposure.
False
## Footnote
The risk is considered low, especially from a one-time exposure.
43
What is the risk relationship between marrow dose and incidence of leukemia?
As the dose goes up, the risk of leukemia increases, following a linear and threshold model.
44
Which type of cancer has a higher risk in atomic bomb survivors: solid tumors or leukemia?
Solid tumors
## Footnote
The relative risk for solid tumors is approximately 0.6 compared to 0.05 for leukemia.
45
List the cancers with the highest risk following radiation exposure.
* Leukemia
* Bladder
* Breast
* Lung
* Thyroid
* Colon
* Stomach
* Liver
## Footnote
This list has been noted in board exams.
46
Fill in the blank: The younger you are at the time of radiation exposure, the ______ your risk of developing cancer.
higher
47
True or False: Females have a higher risk of developing cancer than males following radiation exposure.
True
## Footnote
This is attributed to both breast and lung cancer risks.
48
What are the two key factors contributing to the higher cancer risk in younger individuals?
* They will live longer
* Young cells are more radio-sensitive
49
What is the difference between the linear and non-threshold model and the linear quadratic model?
The linear and non-threshold model applies to solid tumors, while the linear quadratic model is often applied to leukemia.
50
What has been observed regarding cancer incidence in patients treated with radiotherapy?
There is an increased risk of secondary malignancies, particularly around the area of high-dose exposure.
51
Which cancers are commonly associated with secondary malignancies following treatment for Hodgkin's disease?
* Breast cancer
* Osteosarcomas
## Footnote
These tumors may appear decades after treatment.
52
What is the risk of developing cancer from chemotherapy compared to radiation?
Chemotherapy is generally a more potent carcinogen than radiation.
53
What does the BEIR VII report focus on regarding radiation exposure?
It provides insights into cancer risks associated with radiation exposure.
54
Fill in the blank: The risk from radiation exposure decreases with time since ______.
exposure
55
What is the significance of the Chayabinsk area in Russia for studying radiation exposure?
It has a history of low-dose rate radiation exposure due to nuclear waste incidents.
56
True or False: The risk for solid tumors from nuclear power workers is very high.
False
## Footnote
The risk for solid tumors is very near zero among nuclear workers.
57
What is a key point about the age of exposure and cancer risk?
Younger individuals are more radio-sensitive and have a higher lifetime risk.
58
What complicates radiation protection regulations in the U.S.?
Different agencies have varying dose limits, leading to complexity.
59
Name one population that has been studied for low-dose rate exposures.
Nuclear power workers.
60
What is the relationship between dose rate and cancer risk?
As you decrease the dose rate, you also decrease the risk.
61
What is the primary concern for populations living near dried-up lakes exposed to radiation?
Constant low dose rate radiation exposure
## Footnote
This exposure can lead to increased cancer risk over time.
62
What type of studies are anticipated to provide insights into human low dose rate exposure effects?
Studies related to atomic weapons fallout
## Footnote
These studies often focus on plutonium and other radioactive materials.
63
Which region is noted for having extremely high radiation doses due to bomb testing?
Marshall Islands
## Footnote
The US conducted several bomb tests in this area.
64
What type of radiation fallout was primarily released during above-ground bomb tests in Nevada?
Cesium and iodine
## Footnote
These isotopes contributed to radiation exposure in surrounding areas.
65
What was the significant event that occurred during the Baker operation at Bikini Atoll?
Detonation of a bomb over old naval vessels
## Footnote
This operation resulted in high radiation exposure to the local population.
66
What are the estimated radiation doses received by populations near Bikini Atoll during bomb tests?
30 gray, 10 gray, 3 gray, 1 gray
## Footnote
Higher doses correlate with increased cancer risk.
67
What is the risk of developing cancer for the Marshall Islands population due to bomb testing?
Higher risk of cancer from radiation exposure
## Footnote
The population is under study for increased cancer incidents.
68
What does ICRP stand for and what is its relevance in radiation exposure studies?
International Commission on Radiological Protection
## Footnote
ICRP provides guidelines and risk assessments related to radiation exposure.
69
How does high dose high dose rate exposure affect cancer risk differently for working versus whole populations?
Working population: 8% per seabird; Whole population: 10% per seabird
## Footnote
The risk is adjusted based on exposure context.
70
What is the risk percentage for low dose low dose rate exposure for a working population?
4% per seabird
## Footnote
This applies when exposure is less than or equal to 0.2 seabird.
71
If a city of 1 million people is exposed to a 0.1 seabird bomb, what number of expected fatal cancers can be calculated?
0.5% of 1 million people
## Footnote
This calculation uses the low dose low dose rate risk of 5% per seabird.
72
How do you calculate the expected number of fatal cancers for a nuclear power plant worker population exposed to 1 seabird?
8% of 4,000 workers
## Footnote
This is based on the working population risk for high dose high dose rate exposure.
73
What is a crucial step when determining cancer risk based on dose provided in gray?
Convert gray to seabird
## Footnote
This conversion is necessary for accurate risk assessment calculations.
74
What factors influence cancer risk from radiation exposure?
Age at exposure, dose, and dose rate
## Footnote
These factors vary the risk for developing malignancies.
75
True or False: Radiation exposure is only associated with primary cancers.
False
## Footnote
Radiation has been linked to the development of secondary malignancies.
