Table 3 Use of imaging methods in the screening of patients with cancer risk for exposure to environmental factors
Environmental risk factors | Type of cancer | Imaging methods used for screening |
|---|---|---|
Exposure to magnetic fields | Leukaemia | Mammography as screening for breast cancer |
Breast cancer | ||
Ionising radiation ▪ X-rays ▪ Radiotherapy ▪ Nuclear industry | Leukaemia | Ultrasound as an initial method of screening for thyroid and liver while X-ray is the best option for osteogenic sarcoma |
Thyroid cancer | ||
Liver cancer | ||
Osteogenic sarcoma | ||
Ultraviolet radiation | Melanoma and squamous cancer | N/A |
Tobacco smoking | Lung cancer | Chest film and CT are the screening methods of choice for those organs affected by tobacco smoke, another tool used in these cases is the bronchoscopy |
Larynx cancer | ||
Throat cancer | ||
Bladder cancer | ||
Ambient particulate matter pollution | Tracheal cancer | |
Bronchus cancer | ||
Lung cancer | ||
Mesothelioma | ||
Occupational exposure | Lung cancer | CT is used as the initial method |
Lymphomas | ||
Brain tumours | ||
Infections (H. pylori) | Gastric cancer | Endoscopy and colonoscopy with gastric tissue biopsy |