Breast cancer incidence and mortality in population studies of radiation exposure: systematic review and meta-analysis.
Br J CancerJun 16, 2026 (epub)
Ekaterina Chirikova, Cecile M Ronckers, Mark P Little et al.
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In 30 seconds
This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the association between ionising radiation exposure and breast cancer incidence and mortality in women. Analyzing 106 studies, the research found that radiation exposure was linked to an increased breast cancer risk, with an excess relative risk per gray (ERR/Gy) of 0.56 (95% CI: 0.29-0.83).
Key findings
- Radiation exposure was associated with an ERR/Gy of 0.56 (95% CI: 0.29-0.83) for breast cancer risk.
- Subgroup analyses showed reduced heterogeneity, with I² reaching 5% in low-dose-rate studies.
- Higher ERRs were noted for high dose-rate exposures and moderate doses (1-5 Gy).
- Increased risks were also observed for childhood exposures and women over 55 years.
Why it matters
Understanding the relationship between radiation exposure and breast cancer risk is crucial for informing screening and prevention strategies, particularly in populations exposed to ionising radiation.