J Korean Med Sci.  2018 Jul;33(29):e211. 10.3346/jkms.2018.33.e211.

Estimation of Cancer Incidence and Mortality Risks Attributed to Diagnostic Medical Radiation Exposure in Korea, 2013

• Lim H
• Choi J
• Kim JH
• Cheong HK
• Ha M

• KMID: 2416150
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2018.33.e211

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Radiation exposure from medical procedures has been rapidly increasing. We purposed to estimate the fraction of cancer incidence and mortality attributed to diagnostic medical radiation exposure in Korea.
METHODS
Using information on diagnostic medical radiation exposure from various sources including national health examination (National Health Insurance Service), private health examination, and conscription health examination; the annual mean exposed organ dose (mGy) from all diagnostic medical radiation use, grouped by sex and 5-year age ranges up to 80 years, was calculated. Cancer incidence and mortality lifetime attributable risks (LARs) up to 85 years using estimated exposed organ doses and biological effects of ionizing radiation (BEIR) VII model (excess relative risk and excess absolute risk) were estimated. Using background cancer incidence and mortality risk based on the national database, along with estimated LARs, we finally estimated population attributable fraction (PAF) of cancer incidence and mortality.
RESULTS
The PAF for diagnostic medical radiation exposure among all cancers of Koreans was 0.9% for incidence and mortality, resulting 1,915 cancer cases and 637 cancer deaths a year. The PAF in females was higher than those in males: 1.2% and 1.7% (incidence and mortality) versus 0.6% (same in incidence and mortality), respectively.
CONCLUSION
The estimated PAF for diagnostic medical radiation in Korea in 2013 was higher than those reported in the UK in 2004. Optimized management of diagnostic medical radiation use is important in Korea.

Keyword

Ionizing Radiation; Medical Imaging; Diagnosis; Cancer; Population at Risk

MeSH Terms

Diagnosis
Diagnostic Imaging
Female
Humans
Incidence*
Insurance, Health
Korea*
Male
Mortality*
Population Characteristics
Radiation Exposure*
Radiation, Ionizing