CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, Vol 8, 156-163, Copyright
© 1958 by American Cancer Society
Radiation Is a Carcinogenic Agent
C. Lenore Simpson D.M.1
1 Department of Pathology, Roswell Park Memorial Institute, Buffalo, N. Y.
The evidence presented has shown that many types of cancer are known to follow radiation. It will be noticeable, however, that information is lacking as to the frequency of tumors following different types and degrees of exposure in man. All the evidence suggests that a relatively small number of exposed individuals develop cancer, although this proportion tends to rise with increased intensity of the original radiation. The latent periods are long, and it is probable that many more individuals would develop cancer if they did not previously succumb to some other disease. The use of radiation in its many forms is increasing rapidly both in industry and medical practice. At the present time, medicine is contributing a greater addition to the background radiation than industry or fall-out and it is likely to do so for a considerable time to come. All physicians and dentist should consider, before exposing a patient even to diagnostic roentgen rays, whether the information to be obtained is necessary. Diagnostic techniques should expose the minimum consistent with their purpose and the fluoroscope should be avoided unless essential. This is a good principle, even though the risks of a single diagnostic exposure are infinitesimal, because of the known cumulative effects of radiation and the many possible reasons for its further use. Exposure of children, in particular, should be avoided as far as possible because of their long life expectancy and experimental evidence that immature animals may be more susceptible than adults.
