Radiobiology > Stochastic Effects > Carcinogenesis > Introduction
Carcinogenesis
Carcinogenesis
Unlike heritable risk from radiation exposure, some human data do exist to establish cancer risk. Nevertheless, most analyses utilize the cohort of Japanese atomic bombing survivors for extrapolating low-dose exposure risk.
Amongst bombing victims, the thyroid is the solid organ most sensitive to radiation-induced benign and malignant tumors. Excess breast cancer risk is also clearly observed in such radiation-exposed populations. Statistical noise prevents direct assessment of human risk for exposures below 50 mSv.
The primary organizations concerned with reporting risk estimates radiation-induced carcinogenesis:
- UN Scientific Committee on Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR)
- National Academy of Sciences, Committee on Biological Effects of Ionizing Radiations (BEIR)
Organizations concerned with radiation protection standards:
- International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP)
- National Council on Radiological Protection and Measurements (NCRP)
