In plain language
In a large US cohort of radiologic technologists, those who began work before 1960, when occupational radiation doses were higher, had higher basal cell skin cancer risk, especially with lighter pigmentation. Squamous cell carcinoma risk was not elevated.
At a glance
- Type of study
- Original research, Prospective cohort study
- Who was studied
- Radiologic technologists
- Size
- n = 65,304 radiologic technologists
- Where
- United States
- Topics
- Cancer risk
- Summary based on
- the abstract
What it found
Basal cell carcinoma risk was elevated in technologists who first worked before 1940, when occupational exposures were high, compared with those who started after 1960.
Key figures: Relative risk (RR) = 2.16; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.14-4.09
Elevated BCC risk also seen for those first working in the 1940s and 1950s, with a significant trend.
Key figures: 1940s RR = 2.04 (95% CI 1.44-2.88); 1950s RR = 1.42 (95% CI 1.12-1.80); p for trend < 0.01
No elevated risk was found for squamous cell carcinoma.
The effect on BCC risk was not modified by UV exposure but was stronger in those with lighter eye and hair color.
Key figures: p = 0.013 (eye) and 0.027 (hair)
Cases analysed within the cohort.
Key figures: 1,355 BCC cases; 270 squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) cases
Limits to keep in mind
Exposure was estimated by surrogate measures (year first worked) rather than individual doses, and the cohort was limited to white technologists responding to questionnaires, so outcomes and covariates may partly rely on self-report.
Related research summaries
- 100 years of Personal Badge Radiation Doses in a Cohort of U.S. Radiologic Technologists: Expanded and Updated Reconstruction, 1916-2020 (2026, Retrospective cohort study)
- Increasing Awareness and Reducing Occupational Hazards in the Cardiac Catheterization and Electrophysiology Laboratories: Working to Eliminate Lead and Complications of Radiation in Cardiovascular Team Study (2026, Cross-sectional survey)
- Cancer Risks in U.S. Radiologic Technologists Working with Fluoroscopically Guided Interventional Procedures, 1994-2008 (2024, Prospective cohort study)
- Occupational Health Risks in Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory Workers (2018, Cross-sectional survey)
- Cancer and other causes of mortality among radiologic technologists in the United States (2002, Prospective cohort study)
How this summary was made
ORSIF prepared this summary with AI assistance from the abstract of the paper. A program then checked that the passage supporting each finding appears word for word in that source. A person has not yet reviewed each summary, so read the original before relying on a number. ORSIF summarizes research and does not endorse any product or company. Report a problem with this summary.
Prepared November 3, 2026.