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Published in: European Radiology 11/2010

01-11-2010 | Breast

Exposure to low-dose radiation and the risk of breast cancer among women with a familial or genetic predisposition: a meta-analysis

Authors: Marijke C. Jansen-van der Weide, Marcel J. W. Greuter, Liesbeth Jansen, Jan C. Oosterwijk, Ruud M. Pijnappel, Geertruida H. de Bock

Published in: European Radiology | Issue 11/2010

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Abstract

Background:

Women with familial or genetic aggregation of breast cancer are offered screening outside the population screening programme. However, the possible benefit of mammography screening could be reduced due to the risk of radiation-induced tumours. A systematic search was conducted addressing the question of how low-dose radiation exposure affects breast cancer risk among high-risk women.

Methods:

A systematic search was conducted for articles addressing breast cancer, mammography screening, radiation and high-risk women. Effects of low-dose radiation on breast cancer risk were presented in terms of pooled odds ratios (OR).

Results:

Of 127 articles found, 7 were selected for the meta-analysis. Pooled OR revealed an increased risk of breast cancer among high-risk women due to low-dose radiation exposure (OR = 1.3, 95% CI: 0.9– 1.8). Exposure before age 20 (OR = 2.0, 95% CI: 1.3–3.1) or a mean of ≥5 exposures (OR = 1.8, 95% CI: 1.1–3.0) was significantly associated with a higher radiation-induced breast cancer risk.

Conclusion:

Low-dose radiation increases breast cancer risk among high-risk women. When using low-dose radiation among high-risk women, a careful approach is needed, by means of reducing repeated exposure, avoidance of exposure at a younger age and using non-ionising screening techniques.
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Metadata
Title
Exposure to low-dose radiation and the risk of breast cancer among women with a familial or genetic predisposition: a meta-analysis
Authors
Marijke C. Jansen-van der Weide
Marcel J. W. Greuter
Liesbeth Jansen
Jan C. Oosterwijk
Ruud M. Pijnappel
Geertruida H. de Bock
Publication date
01-11-2010
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
European Radiology / Issue 11/2010
Print ISSN: 0938-7994
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1084
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-010-1839-y

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