Analysis of effects of low dose radiation on cancer incidence

In the review we generalized and analyzed published experimental and epidemiological data on effects of low dose radiation on cancer incidence. It was shown that no increase in cancer incidence was observed in those resided under enhanced natural radiation. Japanese cohort of atomic bomb survivors, nuclear workers and cleanup workers of nuclear incidents. Moreover, in some cases lower cancer mortality as compared to the baseline mortality was observed. The most impressed data on the Taiwan cohort resided in radioactive apartments during 25 years were published. Cancer incidence in that population was 40 times lower than in the control group, at the same time accumulated doses were higher than in clean-up workers of the Chernobyl accident. Analyzed data demonstrate that exposure to low dose radiation reduces risk of cancer development. Possible mechanisms of beneficial action of low level radiation are discussed.