TO THE EDITOR: In recent times, there has been concern about the harmful effects of radiation from diagnostic procedures such as CT. The BEIR VII report (1) invoked data, largely but not entirely from atomic bomb survivors, to support the linear-no-threshold model of radiation-induced cancer down to the levels that are relevant to such procedures. Brenner and Hall (2) elaborated with estimates relating to the risk of CT. Presumably, these principles are also applicable to both diagnostic and therapeutic nuclear medicine.
Two recent articles in The Journal of Nuclear Medicine, by Boreham and Dolling (3) and by Stabin (4) express contrary views, questioning the linear-no-threshold model. Boreham and Dolling (3) even suggest that low levels of radiation are beneficial. Evidently, there is a controversy. I am not writing to take sides, although I must add that I find Stabin's (4) statement, “the benefits of the study…always substantially outweigh [the] risks,” simplistic. In any case, the issues are important for nuclear medicine, having a bearing on selectivity for procedures, radiopharmaceutical doses used, and the information regarding risk that is given to patients and subjects in the contexts of both clinical service and research.
I hope that the SNM and The Journal of Nuclear Medicine will foster evenhanded dialog on this subject.
Footnotes
-
COPYRIGHT © 2009 by the Society of Nuclear Medicine, Inc.
References
- 1.
- 2.
- 3.
- 4.