About 1100 people each year die in the UK from lung cancer correlation to indoor radon, but current government protection policies focus mainly on the small number of homes with high radon levels and neglect the 95% of radon related deaths caused by lower levels of radon, as per a research studypublished on bmj.com today.

The authors argue that installing basic and cheap measures to prevent radon in all new homes would be more cost-effective and have greater potential for reducing lung cancer deaths caused by radon, and UK Building Regulations should be amended to enforce this.

Radon in the home is a natural air pollutant produced by the decay of uranium in the ground. Radon gas seeps into buildings through cracks and holes in the foundations and when it decays it produces particles that can enter the lungs and expose them to damaging radiation.

At present, government policies in the UK concentrate on searching for homes with high levels of radon and encouraging homeowners to take remedial action at their own expense.

Professor Alastair Gray, Professor Sarah Darby and other colleagues from the University of Oxford, assessed the contribution of indoor radon to lung cancer deaths in the UK, and examined the cost- effectiveness of policies to control radon exposure. They used recent evidence on the risk of lung cancer from indoor radon, based on data from 7,000 people with lung cancer and more than 21,000 people without lung cancer across Europe. They then calculated the lifetime risk of lung cancer death before and after various interventions to control radon, and the costs involved.

The authors estimate that 1100 deaths a year in the UK are correlation to radon, about 3.3% of all deaths from lung cancer, but less than 5% of radon related deaths occur from exposure above the current action level. In addition, they report that a number of homeowners refuse to have their home tested or to spend money reducing radon levels. As a result these policies are costly and have a minimal impact on radon related deaths.

In contrast, the authors observed that installing simple preventive measures in new homes is highly cost-effective, but at present is only being done in selected areas of the country. This should be rolled out across the whole UK, say the authors, and should be backed up by changes to the Building Regulations. A gas-resistant membrane in the foundations would reduce radon by about 50% and would cost only about 100.

Importantly, the study also observed that six out of seven radon related lung cancers occur in people who smoke or who have smoked in the past. The best way for current smokers to reduce risk is to stop smoking. Current and former smokers can also reduce their risk by taking radon control measures seriously, say the authors.

The authors suggest that their findings are relevant to a number of other countries, most of which have higher concentrations of radon than the UK. The average radon concentration in UK homes is 21 bequerels per cubic metre, but in the European Union the average is 55, suggesting that about 8% of deaths from lung cancer, or 18,000 deaths each year, are caused by radon across the EU.

This is the most extensive and detailed evaluation to date of the policies to counter radon-induced and deaths from lung cancer, say Professor Anssi Auvinen from the University of Tampere in Finland and Professor Gran Pershagen from the Institute of Environmental Medicine in Sweden, in an accompanying editorial.

The findings suggest that:”Radon policies need to be scrutinised [and especially in populations with low average levels], the priority should be to apply basic measures universally rather than to take action only when high radon levels have been identified by measurement.”

Posted by: Justin234    Source

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Well alot has changed since Nov 7, 2010. Turns out the Temador was not working so I was taken off since the tumor yes tumors(3 of them )1 even jumped the cortex, and now has starting up on the other side. So my Dr. said next step, 6 weeks of Radiation. Which was kinda scary because I know of 2 people that are messed up and on disability because of the radiation after effects.

Radiation therapy is a common treatment for brain tumors where surgery or radiosurgery can not be utilized. Radiation therapy affects both normal and tumor cells, but normal cells are thought to be more capable of repairing themselves. As the therapy continues, the tumor cells should die and eventually shrink. Radiation therapy does not remove the tumor.

Side Effects:
Side effects of radiation therapy will depend on the type of radiation received, the amount of the surface of the brain targeted, the site targeted, and the total dose of radiation. In general, there will be hair loss, skin irritation, possible hearing problems, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, and neurologic effects. The most prevalent side effect is fatigue which is may last through treatment and for many months afterwards. The neurologic effects most affecting quality of life are eventual permanent memory and speech problems. These are just a few of the problems that can develop.

But the good news is that if the Radiation worked, this will hold back the cancer for at least 5yrs, and then in the Brain Cancer world, there is always something new being discovered….

But I can tell you this, that I had so much peace the entire time. I know that is was God and all my Church Family praying for me that got me through this. Especially my 2nd treatment when I almost had a panic attack…I just prayed to God to calm me down and he did. Everyone at the UC Davis Cancer Center in Sacramento, Ca were wonderful. My Radiation Techs : Victoria, Adam & Ty were very kind to me and helped me out when I was so scared…They would always have my favorite music on for me. Dr. Fragoso & Dr. Rush were also very kind, answering all my questions for me in a very professional manner.

I will have another MRI in about 5 weeks, then that will now be the baseline MRI for anything in the future.

So will keep you updated… Please looks at my pictures that I have taken through this new phase of my Cancer Journey.

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