Cancer incidence in an area of radioactive fallout downwind from the Nevada Test Site
C. J. Johnson
Exposures in southwestern Utah to radioactive fallout (1951 through 1962)
from atmospheric nuclear detonations at the Nevada Test Site (NTS) were
followed by smaller exposures (1962 through 1979) from venting of
underground nuclear detonations. The cancer incidence in a 1951 cohort (4,
125) of Mormon families in southwestern Utah near the NTS was compared with
that of all Utah Mormons (1967 through 1975). There were 109 more cases of
cancer than expected (288[observed]/179[expected]). Leukemia was most
prominent early (1958 through 1966), with 19 cases, five times more than
expected (3.6). The excess of leukemia persisted into the later period
(1972 through 1980), with 12 cases observed, 3.4 expected. There was an
increase in lymphoma. Excess cases of thyroid cancer appeared early and a
notable excess appeared later (14/1.7). An excess of breast cancer was
noted later (27/14). There were more cancers of the gastrointestinal tract
than expected. There was an excess of melanoma (12/4.5), bone cancer
(8/0.7), and brain tumors (9/3.9). A subgroup with history of acute fallout
effects had a higher cancer incidence. That these cases can be associated
with radiation exposures is supported by a comparison between groups of the
ratio of cancers of more radiosensitive organs with all other types of
cancer.
