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Ionizing Radiation

Ionizing radiation can cause cell damage that leads to cancer. This kind of radiation comes from rays that enter the Earth's atmosphere from outer space, radioactive fallout, radon gas, x-rays, and other sources.

Radioactive fallout can come from accidents at nuclear power plants or from the production, testing, or use of atomic weapons. People exposed to fallout may have an increased risk of cancer, especially leukemia and cancers of the thyroid, breast, lung, and stomach.

Radon is a radioactive gas that you cannot see, smell, or taste. It forms in soil and rocks. People who work in mines may be exposed to radon. In some parts of the country, radon is found in houses. People exposed to radon are at increased risk of lung cancer.

Medical procedures are a common source of radiation:

• Doctors use radiation (low-dose x-rays) to take pictures of the inside of the body to help diagnose broken bones and other problems.
• Doctors use radiation therapy (high-dose radiation from large machines or from radioactive substances) to treat cancer.

The risk of cancer from low-dose x-rays is extremely small. The risk from radiation therapy is slightly higher. For both, the benefit nearly always outweighs the small risk.

Decrease Your Risk

1. Talk with your doctor if you are concerned that you may be at risk for cancer due to radiation.
2. If you live in a part of the country that has radon, test your home for gas levels. The home radon test kit is easy to use, inexpensivest and sold in most hardware stores.
3. Talk with your doctor or dentist about the need for each x-ray they recommend. Ask about shields to protect parts of the body that are not in the picture.
4. Cancer patients may want to talk with their doctor about how radiation treatment could increase their risk of a second cancer later on.

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