Researchers at NCI and elsewhere continue to learn about the cancer risks from ionizing radiation by studying various groups of people, including those who were exposed as a result of the Chernobyl accident, survivors of the atomic bomb explosions in Japan during World War II, and people who were exposed to radiation during medical diagnostic procedures or as part of their job.
NCI conducts much of this research through the Radiation Epidemiology Branch of the Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics (DCEG).
DCEG researchers are carrying out a long-term study of Chernobyl survivors.
Through DCEG and the Division of Cancer Biology, NCI supports the Chernobyl Tissue Bank, which contains samples from the Chernobyl survivors. These are being used to investigate the effects of radioactive exposure from nuclear power plant accidents.
NCI collaborates with researchers from Japan’s Radiation Effects Research Foundation to learn about the health effects from the 1945 atomic bomb exposures in that country. This ongoing project is called the Life Span Study.
NCI works closely with the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases to support the federal government’s Radiation and Nuclear Countermeasures Program.
Health professionals can also find information about the medical management of exposed persons during radiation emergencies at the US Department of Health and Human Services's Radiation Emergency Medical Management website.