THYROID CANCER INCIDENCE IN THE POPULATION OF UKRAINE AND ITS EPIDEMIOLOGICAL DETERMINANTS: IONIZING RADIATION AND ENDOCRINE DISRUPTORS. / ЧАСТОТА РАКУ ЩИТОПОДІБНОЇ ЗАЛОЗИ У НАСЕЛЕННЯ УКРАЇНИ ТА ЙОГО ЕПІДЕМІОЛОГІЧНІ ДЕТЕРМІНАНТИ: ІОНІЗУЮЧЕ ВИПРОМІНЮВАННЯ ТА ЕНДОКРИННІ РУЙНІВНИКИ.

OBJECTIVE: to estimate the risk of thyroid cancer incidence in the population of Ukraine in connection with its exposure to radioactive iodine fallout of Chornobyl origin and the use of pesticides in agricultural production in the country. OBJECT OF STUDY: Incidence rates of thyroid cancer in the population of Ukraine in 2001-2019, average regional radiation doses absorbed by the thyroid because of the Chornobyl accident, the volume of use of various groups of pesticides in the regions of Ukraine. RESEARCH METHODS: statistical, mathematical and cartographic. RESULTS: The study covering the period of 2001-2019, revealed significant temporal and regional differences in the thyroid cancer incidence in the population of the Ukraine regions in 2001-2019. The existence of a significant correlation between the thyroid cancer incidence and the amount of radiation exposure to the thyroid associated with the Chornobyl accident was established. The existence of a significant correlation between the thyroid cancer incidence and the degree of pesticide use intensity in agriculture in the Ukraine regions was established. A significant value of multiple correlation r = 0.5866 (p < 0.05) was found between the thyroid cancer incidence in Ukraine andthe average regional radiation doses and the pesticide use intensity in agricultural production in the country. CONCLUSIONS: A reliable value of the multiple correlation between the value of the average regional radiation exposure doses to the thyroid associated with the Chornobyl accident and the degree of pesticide use intensity in the national economy of Ukraine and the thyroid cancer incidence in the population was determined.

LATE ONCOLOGICAL AFTEREFFECTS OF RADIATION EXPOSURE CAUSED BY THE CHORNOBYL ACCIDENT. / VIDDALENI ONKOLOGIChNI NASLIDKY RADIATsIINOGO OPROMINENNIa, SPRYChYNENOGO AVARIIeIu NA ChORNOBYL'S'KII AES.

Studies of the longterm oncological consequences after the Chornobyl accident show a significant impact of radiation exposure on the cancer incidence rate in affected population in Ukraine. This is supported by the increased radiation risk of leukaemia in liquidators, which exceeds national population rates, and its value is comparable to the data on hibakushi, who were subjected to Abombings. For the first time in the cleanup workers cohort the radiation dependence of chronic lymphoid leukaemia was established. There are radiation associated risks of leukemia in children who have been exposed to radiation from the Chornobyl accident. There has been registered an increase of thyroid cancer incidence in children and adults (liquidators, evacuees from the 30km exclusion zone and residents of the most contaminated territories). There is an excess of breast cancer in female liquidators. The frequency of all forms of malignant neoplasms decreases over time but still exceeds national rates. Further monitoring of malignant neoplasms in the groups of affected population will allow evaluating the radiation risks of cancer forms whose radiationassociated manifestation is already known from previous studies or can be expected in the future.

INCIDENCE OF MALIGNANT NEOPLASMS AMONG RESIDENTS OF SMALL RADIONUCLIDE-CONTAMINATED CHORNOBYL DISTRICTS IN A POST-ACCIDENT PERIOD. / ZAKhVORIuVANIST' NA ZLOIaKISNI NOVOUTVORENNIa MEShKANTsIV MALYKh ZABRUDNENYKh RADIONUKLIDAMY TERYTORIAL'NYKh ODYNYTs' ChORNOBYL'S'KOGO REGIONU U VIDDALENOMU PISLIaAVARIINOMU PERIODI.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the level of risks of development of malignant neoplasms among the residents of smallChornobyl districts («rayons¼) in connection with low-dose radiation exposure and its dynamic changes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study population included residents of Borodianka, Ivankiv and Poliske districts ofKyiv region («oblast¼) and Luhyny, Narodychi and Ovruch districts of Zhytomyr region, 175,100 inhabitants in2017. The study period was 1980-2017. All cancers incidence rates as well as rates of potentially radiation-associated sites (breast, thyroid, hematopoietic and lymphoid systems) were calculated and analysed. Methods of variation statistics, descriptive and analytical epidemiology were used. RESULTS: The impact of ionizing radiation on population of the most radionuclide-contaminated districts raisesconcerns of the potential threat of adverse cancer effects, especially thyroid cancer. The average total whole-bodyeffective radiation doses received due to cesium during long time (1986-2005) among residents of the study districts (7.6-45.8 mSv) exceeded that in Zhytomyr (5.9 mSv), Kyiv (4.9 mSv) regions and Ukraine as a whole (2.48mSv), but also in other districts in the North Ukraine. The average doses of internal radiation absorbed by the thyroid gland (161-1559 mGy) among the most vulnerable population - children and adolescents (aged 0-18 yearsat the time of the accident) of these areas, and obtained in the short post-accident period, significantly exceedthat in Zhytomyr (87 mGy), Kyiv (81 mGy) regions and Ukraine as a whole (19 mGy). Irradiation rates of adult residents of these territories were lower, but significantly exceeded the average doses received by the population ofUkraine and large administrative units. Overall cancer incidence in the 6 districts during pre- and post-accidentperiods was lower comparing to Ukraine's and Kyiv region's rates, and did not significantly differ from Zhytomyrregion's rates. At the same time, the incidence rates of thyroid cancer significantly exceeded that of the pre-accident period as well as Zhytomyr region's rates. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the study indicate needs for further monitoring of malignant neoplasms not only inthe population of Ukraine as a whole and its large administrative-territorial units, but also among residents of particular areas, given the likelihood of the realization of the risks of radiation-associated diseases in the distantpost-accident period in accordance with local environmental conditions.

EPIDEMIOLOGY OF BREAST CANCER IN UKRAINE WITH CONSIDERATION OF THE FACTORS OF THE CHORNOBYL ACCIDENT. / EPIDEMIOLOGIIa RAKU MOLOChNOÏ ZALOZY V UKRAÏNI Z URAKhUVANNIaM FAKTORIV RYZYKU ChORNOBYL'S'KOÏ AVARIÏ.

OBJECTIVE: Assessment of the possible impact of the Chornobyl accident on the incidence of breast cancer in the female population of Ukraine as a whole and in some affected groups. OBJECT OF THE STUDY: The female population of Ukraine as a whole and in separate groups of victims - women par- ticipating in the clean-up works in 1986-1987, evacuaees from the exclusion zone and inhabitants of the territo- ries most contaminated with radionuclides. METHODS: Statistical, mathematical, cartographic. RESULTS: This study, covering a significant period of time (1976-2016), revealed a steady temporal and territorial agglomeration of regions with a higher incidence of breast cancer in the southern and south-eastern regions of Ukraine. Lower - in the western and northern regions. There is a steady increase in the incidence rate, but in recent years this growth has slowed down. The epidemiological situation regarding the incidence of breast cancer in the female population of Ukraine during the 30 years after the Chornobyl accident is generally stable. At the same time, a marked increase in the frequency of this pathology in the groups of the affected population, especially in women, participated in clean-up works in 1986-1987. CONCLUSIONS: A stable agglomeration of regions with high levels of incidence in the south and south-east, and low in the west and north of the country is determined. The dynamics of breast cancer in Ukraine as a whole is characterized by steady growth, although in recent years its pace has slightly decreased. Among the individual population groups affected by the Chornobyl catastrophe (female liquidators, evacuated women from the exclusion zone, residents of the most contaminated with radionuclides territories) only among female liquidators of 1986-1987 the significant in- crease was observed in the incidence of breast cancer, which exceeds the national indicators at 1.3-1.6 times.

RADIATION RISKS OF THYROID CANCER IN CHORNOBYL CLEAN-UP WORKERS USING THE ALTERNATIVE ESTIMATES OF DOSES OF EXTERNAL EXPOSURE. / RADIATsIINI RYZYKY RAKU ShchYTOPODIBNOÏ ZALOZY V UChASNYKIV LIKVIDATsIÏ AVARIÏ NA ChAES Z URAKhUVANNIaM AL'TERNATYVNYKh OTsINOK DOZ ZOVNIShN'OGO OPROMINENNIa.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to estimate the thyroid cancer radiation risks - excess absolute risk(EAR), excess relative risk (ERR) and attributable fraction of risk (AR) in the cohort of 150,813 Ukrainian male clean-up workers during the 1986-2012 period (more than 25 years after the Chornobyl accident). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The cohort under study of 150,813 Ukrainian men who participated emergency and clean-up work in 1986-1990 was formed based on the data of the Ukrainian State Register of persons affected due toChornobyl accident (SRU). The identification of thyroid cancer cases (216) was carried out by linking the SRU data-base with the National Cancer Registry of Ukraine (NCRU) data. Standardised incidence ratios (SIR) were estimatedcomparing thyroid cancer incidence in the cohort with the corresponding national indices. Excess absolute risk(EAR), excess relative risk (ERR) and attributable fraction of risk (AR) were calculated accounting for the alterna-tive dose estimates. The following sources of the average dose values for Ukrainian liquidators were used: officialtotal external dose records according to UNSCEAR 2008 report and results of external red bone marrow dose recon-struction by the RADRUE method for the cohort sample. For the radiation risk evaluation, these estimates were con-versed to the average external thyroid dose. RESULTS: Results of the long term study (1986-2012) of thyroid cancer risks in a cohort of 150813 Chornobyl clean-up workers («liquidators¼) from Ukraine are presented. Two options for the average thyroid dose estimates were usedfor radiation risks evaluation. According to the SRU and NCRU 216 incident thyroid cancers were diagnosed in 1986-2012 within the studied cohort with an overall SIR of 3.35 (95 % confidence interval (CI) 2.51-3.80). The SIR esti-mates were elevated throughout the entire follow-up period. Investigation of a contribution of the external expo-sure (according to the alternative values) showed the elevated dose associated thyroid cancer rates in the studiedcohort. Alternatively estimated EAR/104 PY Gy were of 1.86 (95 % CI 0.47-3.24) and 2.07 (95 % CI 0.53-3.62);ERR/Gy - 2.38 (95 % CI 0.60-4.15) and 2.66 (95 % CI 0.68-4.64) and AR % (Gy) 70.4 % and 72.7 % Gy. CONCLUSIONS: Obtained results prove the dose dependent increase of thyroid cancer incidence among UkrainianChornobyl clean-up workers. These conclusions are consistent with those received for combined cohort of Belarus,Russia and Baltic States liquidators.

Buccal mucosa micronuclei counts in relation to exposure to low dose-rate radiation from the Chornobyl nuclear accident and other medical and occupational radiation exposures.

BACKGROUND: Ionizing radiation is a well-known carcinogen. Chromosome aberrations, and in particular micronuclei represent an early biological predictor of cancer risk. There are well-documented associations of micronuclei with ionizing radiation dose in some radiation-exposed groups, although not all. That associations are not seen in all radiation-exposed groups may be because cells with micronuclei will not generally pass through mitosis, so that radiation-induced micronuclei decay, generally within a few years after exposure. METHODS: Buccal samples from a group of 111 male workers in Ukraine exposed to ionizing radiation during the cleanup activities at the Chornobyl nuclear power plant were studied. Samples were taken between 12 and 18 years after their last radiation exposure from the Chornobyl cleanup. The frequency of binucleated micronuclei was analyzed in relation to estimated bone marrow dose from the cleanup activities along with a number of environmental/occupational risk factors using Poisson regression adjusted for overdispersion. RESULTS: Among the 105 persons without a previous cancer diagnosis, the mean Chornobyl-related dose was 59.5 mSv (range 0-748.4 mSv). There was a borderline significant increase in micronuclei frequency among those reporting work as an industrial radiographer compared with all others, with a relative risk of 6.19 (95% CI 0.90, 31.08, 2-sided p = 0.0729), although this was based on a single person. There was a borderline significant positive radiation dose response for micronuclei frequency with increase in micronuclei per 1000 scored cells per Gy of 3.03 (95% CI -0.78, 7.65, 2-sided p = 0.1170), and a borderline significant reduction of excess relative MN prevalence with increasing time since last exposure (p = 0.0949). There was a significant (p = 0.0388) reduction in MN prevalence associated with bone X-ray exposure, but no significant trend (p = 0.3845) of MN prevalence with numbers of bone X-ray procedures. CONCLUSIONS: There are indications of increasing trends of micronuclei prevalence with Chornobyl-cleanup-associated dose, and indications of reduction in radiation-associated excess prevalence of micronuclei with time after exposure. There are also indications of substantially increased micronuclei associated with work as an industrial radiographer. This analysis adds to the understanding of the long-term effects of low-dose radiation exposures on relevant cellular structures and methods appropriate for long-term radiation biodosimetry.

Incidence of multiple myeloma among cleanup workers of the Chornobyl accident and their survival.

The study presents the updated data on the multiple myeloma (MM) incidence in Ukrainian cleanup workers after the Chornobyl accident and their survival. The epidemiological analysis is based on the extended follow-up period to identify new MM cases for higher statistical power and to collect additional data on the disease course and outcome for the survival analysis. The objective of the study was to analyze the MM incidence and survival in Chornobyl cleanup workers in 1996-2013 in comparison with the national MM statistical data. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A study cohort consisted of 152,520 male cleanup workers resided in one of 6 regions of Ukraine or Kyiv city and registered in the Ukrainian State Chornobyl Registry (SChR). The Cohort Database was linked to the Ukrainian National Cancer Registry (NCR) Database to identify MM cases and to analyze MM incidence in 1996-2013. Standardized incidence ratios (SIR) for MM over the period 1996-2013 were calculated as compared to the general population of Ukraine. A 10-year lag period (when incident cases are not considered radiation-related) was applied. One-year and 5-year cause-specific survival of MM cases were calculated as percentage of those who were alive correspondingly for 1 or 5 years after diagnosis among overall diagnosed. By the moment, the 5-year survival rate either for the sub-period 2008-2013 or for the whole study period 1996-2013 cannot be determined. Vital status data were updated according to the recent SChR and NCR information. RESULTS: 75 MM cases diagnosed in 1986-2013 were identified in the studied cohort. 69 of them were included to the incidence analysis considering a 10-year lag period. While the incidence over 15 years after the accident did not differ significantly from the corresponding rate in general population of Ukraine, a tendency to increase was seen in the period from 16 to 21 years after the accident, and significantly increased SIR estimate was revealed for 2008-2013 (SIR 1.86, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.27-2.44). The highest incidence was detected in 2008-2013 among cohort members diagnosed over the age of 50 years mostly due to the significant excess among those aged 60-69 (SIR 2.46, 95% CI 1.32-3.59). Survival rates in cleanup workers were shown to be higher than in the general population of Ukraine (73.9% and up to 65.0%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: SIR for the 2008-2013 period, 22-27 years after the accident, demonstrated the significant excess of MM incidence among male cleanup workers. Survival of MM cases is higher in cleanup workers in comparison with that in general population. This article is a part of a Special Issue entitled "The Chornobyl Nuclear Accident: Thirty Years After".

Experience of study of the incidence of malignant neoplasms population in small areas of Ukraine, which suffered contamination with radionuclides due to the Chornobyl accident. / Dosvid doslidzhennia zakhvoriuvanosti na zloiakisni novoutvorennia naselennia malykh terytorii Ukrainy, shcho zaznaly zabrudnennia radionuklidamy vnaslidok avarii na Chornobyl's'kii AES.

GOAL OF THE STUDY: to evaluate the dynamics of implementation risks of malignant tumors in some small areas of Ukraine in the pre- and post-accident period. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study population group - the population of the Malyn rayon, Zhytomyr region. The period of observation covered 1980-2014. There was investigated the incidence of malignant tumors in general and individual nosological forms (thyroid cancer, breast cancer, tumors of hematopoietic and lymphoid system). Methods of variation statistics and descriptive epidemiology were used. RESULTS: Characteristics of ionizing radiation influence on the population of Malyn rayon indicate the potential for negative effects, especially for thyroid cancer. Besides the fact that the average total effective radiation dose whole body by radioactive cesium in Malyn rayon population (5.9 mSv) are at medium level in Zhytomyr region and is significantly lower in comparison with those of other areas of the northern part of the oblast, the exposure of thyroid 236 mGy, is significantly higher than the regional figures - 81 mGy. Although the level of morbidity Malyn rayon of malignant tumors in general was about at the national level for 1999-2003 and lower it in the 2012-2014, exceeding the figures of Zhytomyr region, the incidence of thyroid cancer in the 2012-2014 in Malin area was 1.7 times higher in comparison with data for Ukraine and in 1.9 times in comparison with the data in Zhytomyr region. As in most northern areas that fell under radioactive iodine fallouts, there is the realization of increased radiation risk of cancer of this organ. The incidence of breast cancer in female population Malyn rayon is the lowest in comparison with Ukraine and Zhitomir regions. However, the rate of increase in this area is the highest. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate the need for further monitoring of occurrence of cancer cases in the population of not only Ukraine as a whole, or large administrative units, but also among the population in small areas, taking into account the probability of the realization of risks of radiation-associated disease cases according to local environmental conditions.

Non-radiation risk factors for leukemia: A case-control study among chornobyl cleanup workers in Ukraine.

BACKGROUND: Occupational and environmental exposure to chemicals such as benzene has been linked to increased risk of leukemia. Cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption have also been found to affect leukemia risk. Previous analyses in a large cohort of Chornobyl clean-up workers in Ukraine found significant radiation-related increased risk for all leukemia types. We investigated the potential for additional effects of occupational and lifestyle factors on leukemia risk in this radiation-exposed cohort. METHODS: In a case-control study of chronic lymphocytic and other leukemias among Chornobyl cleanup workers, we collected data on a range of non-radiation exposures. We evaluated these and other potential risk factors in analyses adjusting for estimated bone marrow radiation dose. We calculated Odds Ratios and 95% Confidence Intervals in relation to lifestyle factors and occupational hazards. RESULTS: After adjusting for radiation, we found no clear association of leukemia risk with smoking or alcohol but identified a two-fold elevated risk for non-CLL leukemia with occupational exposure to petroleum (OR=2.28; 95% Confidence Interval 1.13, 6.79). Risks were particularly high for myeloid leukemias. No associations with risk factors other than radiation were found for chronic lymphocytic leukemia. CONCLUSIONS: These data - the first from a working population in Ukraine - add to evidence from several previous reports of excess leukemia morbidity in groups exposed environmentally or occupationally to petroleum or its products.

Quarter of century since the Chornobyl accident: сancer risks in affected groups of population. / Chvert'' stolittja pislja Chornobyl''s''koi' avarii': ryzyk raku v grupah postrazhdalogo naselennja.

Objective. The goal of this study was to define levels and dynamic trends of cancer incidence at whole and some separate sites in groups of Ukrainian population affected by the Chornobyl accident during a long period of observation. Materials and methods. Those groups were Chornobyl accident recovery operation workers (CRW) of 1986-1987 years of participation, evacuees from Prypyat town and 30-km zone and residents of the most contaminated territories of Ukraine. Analysis was carried out with the standard methods of descriptive epidemiology: calculation of crude, age-specific and age-adjusted incidence rates with standard errors and confidence intervals. Results, discussion and conclusions. This study showed that all cancer incidences exceeded the national level only in CRW group. Decrease of cancer incidence rate in the recent years might be caused by shortened average life expectancy in Ukrainian population, especially in males. Statistically significant increase of leukemia incidence in CRW group was registered as well. Besides, in all three main affected groups there was revealed significant excess of thyroid cancer. Irradiation of thyroid due to radioactive iodine fallouts might be a main cause of this phenomenon. Increase of thyroid cancer incidence was registered not only in children, but also in adolescents and adults. Appearance of excess thyroid cancer cases as an effect of radiation exposure tends to increase during the time. Significant excess was also revealed for breast cancer in female CRW group. Because latency period for different nosological forms of radiation-induced malignant tumors varies widely, profound attention in further studies should be drawn not only to thyroid, breast cancers and leukemia, but also to malignancies with longer latent period: lung, stomach, colon, ovary, urinary bladder, kidney cancer and multiple myeloma.

Age and gender patterns of thyroid cancer incidence in Ukraine depending on thyroid radiation doses from radioactive iodine exposure after the Chornobyl NPP accident.

UNLABELLED: The objective of this study was to investigate the thyroid cancer incidence in a whole territory of Ukraine and to clear up its age and gender patterns depending on average regional (oblast) thyroid doses from radioactive iodine due to the Chornobyl accident. MATERIALS AND METHODS. On the basis of average accumulated thyroid doses from radioactive iodine the geographical regions of Ukraine with low and high average thyroid doses were identified for a comparative analysis performance. Methods of descriptive epidemiology were used. RESULTS: The level and dynamics of thyroid cancer incidence were analyzed in different gender and age groups (both for attained age and age at the moment of the Chornobyl accident). Results of this study confirmed the radiation excess of thyroid cancer in individuals who were children and adolescents in 1986. Some excess was observed in elder age groups too. Especial situation was observed in female age group 40-49 at the moment of the Chornobyl accident i.e. the age-specific thyroid cancer incidence rates were significantly higher in "high exposure" regions comparing with "low exposure" ones during all years of observation within 1989-2009. CONCLUSIONS: A probable radiation excess of thyroid cancer was suggested not only in children and adolescents but also in adult age groups. In elder age groups this excess was less expressed and manifested after a longer period of time. The origin of the phenomenon in female age group of 40-49 is unclear now. Hypothesis of combined effect of radiation and natural changing of hormonal status in this age should be checked in the future studies.

Multiple myeloma among Chornobyl accident clean-up workers - state and perspectives of analytical study.

UNLABELLED: The objective of the study was to analyze the Multiple Myeloma (MM) incidence in clean-up workers preparing the information background for consequent analytical study with a dose-dependent risk estimates. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The Cohort Database was linked to the Ukrainian National Cancer Registry to identify the MM cases in a cohort of 152 520 male clean-up workers. RESULTS: The 64 MM cases were identified in the studied Cohort for the 1987-2012 period. Fifty-eight of them were included to the preliminary incidence analysis accounting for the 10-years lag-period. According to the preliminary data analysis the MM incidence rate in studied clean-up workers Cohort did not exceed the corresponding rate in general population of Ukraine along the 21 years after the catastrophe. CONCLUSIONS: Standardized incidence ratio for the 2008-2012 period, that is 22-26 years after the accident, demonstrated the significant excess of MM incidence among male clean-up workers in comparison with general population of Ukraine of corresponding age and gender (SIR 1.61, 95% CI 1.01;2.21).

Cancer incidence and nuclear facilities in Ukraine: a community-based study.

UNLABELLED: The study goal was to investigate malignant tumors incidence in 5 Ukrainian cities with nuclear hazardous enterprises: extractive, processing enterprises of uranium ore (Zhovti Wody and Dniprodzerzhynsk of Dnipropetrovsk region) and nuclear power stations (Energodar of Zaporizhska region, Pivdennoukrainsk of Mykolayivska region, Netishyn of Khmelnytska region). MATERIALS AND METHODS: average annual population of the cities under study in 2003-2008 was 439 600 persons. Total and specific cancer incidence was investigated. Site specific incidence was analyzed for malignancies proved to be radiosensitive in previous studies: trachea, bronchus and lung, breast, kidney, thyroid cancer and leukemia. Data on cancer cases were received in National Cancer Registry of Ukraine (National Cancer Institute). There was used the data of the State Statistics Committee of Ukraine on the size of the studied population by gender - age groups. Standardized incidence ratio of cancer at a whole and for each of five specific forms of malignancies were calculated for the population of each city and group of cities depending on the nature of industrial activity. RESULTS: During the observed period there were registered 9 381 cancer cases in inhabitants of Ukrainian cities with radiation hazardous facilities. There was stated that cancer incidence rate in population of 5 cities significantly exceeded national and regional levels. Among specific forms of malignancy there were observed excess of lung, trachea, bronchus, breast, kidney cancer and leukemia in population of extractive, processing uranium ore cities. No excess of thyroid cancer was identified. In cities with nuclear power station there were registered excess of kidney cancer. CONCLUSION: Results of the study suggest the necessity to explore the role of various factors in forming the identified cancer incidence features in the Ukrainian population living near the nuclear power facilities.

Thyroid cancer incidence in Ukraine: trends with reference to the Chernobyl accident.

For the first time, a comparative analysis of thyroid cancer incidence in Ukraine after the Chernobyl accident was done in a cohort that is almost as large as the general population. On the basis of thyroid doses from radioactive iodine in individuals aged 1-18 years at the time of accident, geographic regions of Ukraine with low and high average accumulated thyroid doses were established and designated "low-exposure" and "high-exposure" territories, respectively. A significant difference of thyroid cancer incidence rates as a function of time between the two territories was found. That is, the increase in the incidence was higher in high-exposure regions than in low-exposure regions. The incidence rates varied substantially among the different attained age-groups, especially in the youngest one (up to 19 years old). The analysis that was adjusted for screening and technological effects also indicated that in the high-exposure regions, thyroid cancer incidence rates at the age of diagnosis of 5-9, 10-14 and 15-19 years were significantly higher in those born in 1982-1986 compared to those born in 1987-1991, while in the low-exposure regions, no significant difference was observed. The observed probable excess of radiation-induced thyroid cancer cases in adults exposed to radioactive iodine from the Chernobyl accident, especially in females, may be due to the high power of the present study. However, it should be noted that our investigation was not essentially free from ecological biases.

The Ukrainian-American study of leukemia and related disorders among Chornobyl cleanup workers from Ukraine: I. Study methods.

There are relatively few data on the risk of leukemia among those exposed to external radiation during cleanup operations after the Chornobyl nuclear accident, and results have not been consistent. To investigate this further, we assembled a cohort of 110,645 male cleanup workers from Ukraine and identified cases of leukemia occurring during the period 1986 to 2000. Detailed interviews were conducted and individual bone marrow doses estimated using a new time-and-motion method known as RADRUE described in companion paper II. For the initial analyses we used a nested case-control approach with a minimum of five controls per case, matched for year of birth, oblast (region) of registration, and residence. All identified cases were reviewed by an international panel of experts; 87 of 111 were confirmed. The dose-response analysis and results are given in companion paper III. As background, we describe herein the design, procedures, outcome of case finding and confirmation, control selection, dose estimation and interviewing of subjects.

[Informative value of the specialized registers in research of leukemia in Chernobyl accident liquidators in Ukraine].

The article considers the possibility of the use of current infrastructure of specialized population registers of Ukraine to study leukemia and other systemic blood diseases revealed in Chernobyl accident liquidators. Advantage and limitation of such registers in the use are discussed in the article. Ukrainian state register of people who suffered from Chernobyl accident and Ukrainian national cancer registers are the largest population registers in the country, which cover all the territory of Ukraine and contain information on each individual and may serve as source base for epidemiological studies. To solve issues on leukemia and other oncological diseases is recommended to use in complex data of specialized registers of Ukraine. It should be also taken into account necessity of using late registered cases and verifying registered diagnoses.

Epidemiological survey of the medical consequences of the Chernobyl accident in Ukraine.

The characteristics of the contamination resulting from the Chernobyl accident are defined, as a basis for epidemiological investigations. Due to loss of integrity of the nuclear fuel and thermal buoyancy from fire and nuclear heating, a large quantity of radioisotopes were released over a period of up to 16 days. The areas affected were very large, 37 million hectares in Ukraine alone. About 5 million persons were affected in one way or another, over 2 million of them in Ukraine. For registration and follow-up of health consequences from the accident, 4 main groups were distinguished, namely: (1) the participants in the containment of the accident and its cleanup ("liquidators"); (2) evacuees; (3) residents of contaminated areas; and (4) children born to parents with significant radiation exposure. Registration and epidemiological follow-up in the former USSR and the three republics afterwards are presented with an emphasis on Ukraine. Considering the long incubation times for some of the expected illnesses and relatively low average doses, the difficulties of confirming significant effects become evident. For example leucosis morbidity among cleanup personnel within a 30 km zone around the accident was 3.4 per 100,000 before the accident and 7 per 100,000 afterwards. The question of the statistical significance of such numbers is discussed by the authors, in the context of confounding factors. For some of the observed effects it has already been established that stress and anxiety caused by the accident and living conditions in the affected areas are the principal cause rather than radiation. According to the authors, more detailed retrospective and prospective epidemiological studies are needed in the future, in order to clarify the causes of observed health effects.