Chest x-rays linked to rise in breast cancer

Chest x-rays could increase the risk of developing breast cancer, a new study has warned.

Researchers from a consortium of European cancer centres analysed the impact of low level x-ray exposure among 1,600 women who have a genetically high risk of developing the disease.

The study, which is published online in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, revealed that women with BRCA 1/2 mutations who reported ever having a chest x-ray were 54 per cent more likely to develop breast cancer than women who had never undergone the procedure.

Women who were exposed to x-rays before the age of 20 were found to be at particular risk, with a 2.5 fold increased risk of developing the disease before the age of 40, compared with women who had never been exposed.

Commenting on the findings, lead author of the study Dr David Goldgar said: “This is one of the first studies to demonstrate that women genetically predisposed to breast cancer may be more susceptible to low-dose ionising radiation than other women.

“If confirmed in prospective studies, young women who are members of families known to have BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations may wish to consider alternatives to x-ray, such as MRI,” Dr Goldgar added.

However cancer charities have advised that although important, the findings do not offer conclusive evidence.

Dr Sarah Rawlings of Breakthrough Breast Cancer said: “It’s still important for women to attend their breast screening appointments as mammography can detect breast cancer early, when it is more likely to be successfully treated.”

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