Dental X-rays could be linked to thyroid cancer
Researchers have found that frequent dental X-rays could increase the risk of developing thyroid cancer significantly.
The latest study, which was conducted by Dr Anjum Memon of Brighton and Sussex Medical School in conjunction with researchers from Kuwait and Cambridge universities, found that patients who have had more than ten dental X-rays were up to five and a half times more likely to be diagnosed with thyroid cancer.
Over the course of the last thirty years, the number of cases of thyroid cancer has doubled. In the past, concerns have been raised over other types of X-rays, including chest X-rays and now experts are warning against the potential dangers of dental X-rays.
During the research project, Dr Memon compared patients with thyroid cancer with a group of healthy volunteers; Dr Memon asked the participants how many dental X-rays they had undergone in the past and found that the numbers were significantly higher in the group affected by thyroid cancer. The results showed that men and women who had up to four dental X-rays were twice as likely to develop thyroid cancer, while those who had between 5 and 9 X-rays were four times more likely to develop the disease and those who had more than 10 dental X-rays were 5.4 times more likely to be diagnosed with thyroid cancer.
The study supports previous projects linking dental X-rays with thyroid cancer; researchers are now suggesting limiting the use of dental X-rays to those patients who need them, rather than using them as part of routine examinations. Dental experts have also recommended using protective bibs to shield the thyroid gland from the X-ray machine. Further research into the connection between X-rays and thyroid cancer is set to be carried out in the near future.
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