Diagnostic Scans Tied to Increased Breast Cancer Risk for Women ...

September 7, 2012 ? The use of any type of diagnostic radiation before age 30 increased the risk of breast cancer by 90% in women who are at high risk because of genetic mutations, according to a new study in the journal BMJ, MedPage Today reports. The study also found that mammography before age 30 increased the chance of developing breast cancer by 43% in such women.

The researchers analyzed radiation exposure in 1,993 women older than age 18 with the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genetic mutation, which puts them at a higher risk for developing breast cancer (Phend, MedPage Today, 9/6). Approximately one in 400 women have the abnormalities (Cheng, AP/Sacramento Bee, 9/6).

Women self-reported past exposure to radiation, such as X-rays, CT scans or mammography. Nearly half of participants had received a radiograph and one-third had received a mammogram, with a median of 2.5 mammograms before age 40 (MedPage Today, 9/6).

Any exposure to chest radiation before age 20 raised the risk of breast cancer by 62%, the study found. Radiation after age 30 did not affect breast cancer risk.

Screening Recommendations

"It may be possible to reduce the risk of breast cancer in (high-risk) women by using MRIs, so we believe physicians and patients should consider that," study author Anouk Pijpe of the Netherlands Cancer Institute said.

Although mammograms are most commonly used in women older than age 40, women at high risk sometimes begin them earlier.

In several countries, including the U.K., the Netherlands and Spain, women with BRCA mutations are advised to get MRIs instead of mammograms before age 30. In the U.S., government advisers have not issued specific recommendations for such women, while the American Cancer Society recommends they receive annual MRIs and mammograms beginning at age 30 (AP/Sacramento Bee, 9/6).

The information contained in this publication reflects media coverage of women?s health issues and does not necessarily reflect the views of the National Partnership for Women & Families.

Source: http://www.nationalpartnership.org/site/News2?abbr=daily2_&page=NewsArticle&id=35145

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