Reference summary — not medical advice or a personal risk estimate.
Ionizing radiation (X-rays and gamma rays)
Summary
High-energy radiation from medical imaging, nuclear sources, and some occupations is associated with increased cancer risk.
Detail
X- and gamma-radiation are Group 1 with sufficient evidence for many cancers including leukemia, thyroid, breast, lung, stomach and others. The added risk from a single low-dose medical procedure is generally small; cumulative lifetime exposure matters. Clinical decisions about imaging are between a patient and their care team.
Regional relevance
global
Documented in these products
Presence in a product category doesn't imply the product causes cancer. Click each to see the source and context.
Sources
Primary sources
Supporting sources
- ACS — ACS — Known and Probable Human Carcinogens
- Cancer Research UK — Cancer Research UK — Causes of cancer and reducing your risk
- IARC / WHO — European Code Against Cancer — European Code Against Cancer (5th edition) — 14 ways you can help prevent cancer
- NTP — NTP — Report on Carcinogens (US National Toxicology Program)
Consumer references
Third-party tools some readers use alongside primary evidence. Meyron doesn't endorse them; we link them because you'll otherwise hit them anyway.
- California Prop 65 list
State of California's list of chemicals known to cause cancer or reproductive harm.