ONS Connect - March 2008 - (Page 9)

Zhao, Y., Burikhanov, R., Qiu, S., Lele, S.M., Jennings, C.D., Bondada, S., et al. (2007), Cancer resistance in transgenic mice expressing the SAC module of Par-4. Cancer Research, 67(19), 9276–9285. report links increased Cancer risk to CT Scans adiation from computed tomography (CT) scanning machines could be causing cancers, according to a new study. Although many CT scans are medically necessary, the report suggests that some CTs could be replaced by other procedures, such as ultrasound. Researchers at the Columbia University Medical Center in New York estimate that CT scans could cause as much as 2% of all cancers in the United States in the next 20–30 years. However, some experts point out that this is a theoretical estimate based on data from Japan’s victims of the atomic bomb. They say that although risks are associated with CT scans, no controlled epidemiologic studies have been conducted to show how great the risk is. CT imaging is used to diagnose a wide array of diseases. Although the images are improved over conventional x-rays, the radiation dose that patients receive is much higher. Researchers say that an abdominal CT scan exposes patients to 50 times more radiation than an x-ray of the same region. However, even experts who say that the estimate is overly alarming agree that use of the scans should be curbed, particularly in children who are more susceptible to radiation and more likely to develop cancer from it. Brenner, D.J., & Hall, E.J. (2007). Computed tomography—An increasing source of radiation exposure. New England Journal of Medicine, 357(22), 2277–2284. R graveyard Shift will Be listed as probable Cause of Cancer orking on the night shift will soon be listed as a probable cause of cancer, according to a report by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, the cancer arm of the World Health Organization. The addition to the list of probable carcinogens is based on research that found higher rates of breast and prostate cancer among women and men whose work days start after dark. Scientists suspect that overnight work disrupts the circadian rhythm of the body. The hormone melatonin, which can suppress tumor development, is normally produced at night. Scientists believe that having lower melatonin levels can increase a person’s risk of developing cancer. W Sleep derivation may be another factor in cancer risk, because people who work at night usually are unable to completely reverse their day and night cycles. A lack of sleep makes the immune system vulnerable to attack and less able to fight off cancerous cells. Full results of the research will be published in 2008 as volume 98 of the IARC Monographs. Straif, K., Baan, R., Grosse, Y., Secretan, B., El Ghissassi, F., & Bouvard, V. (2007). Carcinogenicity of shift-work, painting, and fire-fighting. Lancet Oncology, 8(12), 1065–1066. Contributing Editor Deborah McBride, RN, MSN, CPON ®, is a nurse at the Kaiser Permanente Oakland Medical Center and a faculty member at Samuel Merritt College in Oakland, CA. March 2008 ONS CONNECT 9

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ONS Connect - March 2008 Contents Editor's Note Just In From Then to Now A Year in the Life—Month Three Web Connect Capitol Connection Notice Nursing Now Recognize Hepatic Sinusoidal Obstruction Syndrome in Patients With Cancer Caregiver Care Elasticity of Cells May Help Researchers to Identify Cancer Calendar of Events ONS Congress Your Thoughts and Comments Are a Valued Decision-Making Resource Staying On Top

ONS Connect - March 2008

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