Critiques of Fukushima Thyroid-Cancer Study

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SUMMARY

The recent study claiming a thyroid-cancer epidemic in Fukushima is fundamentally flawed, primarily due to screening bias that inflates case numbers. Critics emphasize that the study did not adequately control for this bias, despite its reliance on screening data from the official Fukushima screening program, which reports no detectable radiation effects. Additionally, a confirmed case of leukemia in a former Fukushima worker raises questions about the direct causation of cancer from radiation exposure, as the individual had prior exposure at other nuclear facilities and did not work during peak radiation levels. Epidemiologists require further data to draw definitive conclusions.

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Two weeks ago a study claiming a Fukushima thyroid-cancer epidemic made headline news. The epidemic is being associated with the nuclear disaster. However, the study may be seriously flawed.

Here are two informed critiques (please post more if found):

http://thebreakthrough.org/index.php/issues/nuclear/nopetheres-no-thyroid-cancer-epidemic-in-fukushima



A common thesis of critics is that we're looking at a screening bias that artificially inflates cases, and the authors of the study did nothing to control for that bias even though it is expected to follow screening campaigns.

Note: the study is not part of the official Fukushima screening study, although the authors used that screening data. The researchers conducting the screening program believe there is no radiation effect being detected, as stated here and http://www.cancernetwork.com/ata-2015-thyroid-cancer/role-fukushima-radiation-unclear-pediatric-thyroid-cancers. An important little detail media reports overlooked.
 
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Yahoo also had a headline this week - Ex-Fukushima nuclear plant worker confirmed to have cancer
http://news.yahoo.com/ex-fukushima-nuclear-plant-worker-confirmed-cancer-110302557.html

It is possible, but it's not clear how it was 'confirmed', unless it is a type of cancer unique to radiation exposure.

TOKYO (AP) — A man in his 40s who worked at the Fukushima nuclear plant after the 2011 disaster is the first person confirmed to have developed cancer from radiation exposure, Japan confirmed Tuesday.
. . . .
He did not work at Fukushima in the weeks after the massive earthquake and tsunami destroyed the plant in March 2011, when radiation levels were the highest. The plant has since been stabilized, except for occasional leaks of contaminated water.

The man had worked at several other nuclear plants before Fukushima, the ministry said. Medical experts could not determine whether his exposure at Fukushima was the direct cause of his leukemia, a ministry official said on condition of anonymity, citing sensitivity of the issue. But his total exposure of 19.8 millisievert was mostly from his work at Fukushima, the official said.
. . . .
Epidemiologists would need more data.
 
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