Cancer incidence in an area of radioactive fallout downwind from the Nevada Test Site

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Abstract
Exposures in southwesterm Utah to radioactive fallout (1951-1962) from atmospheric nuclear detonations at the Nevada Test Site (NTS) were followed by smaller exposures (1962-1979) from venting of underground nuclear detonations. The cancer incidence in a 1951 cohort (4125) of Mormon families in southwestern Utah near the NTS was compared with that of all Utah Mormons (1967-1975). There were 109 more cases of cancer than expected (288[observed]/179[expected]). Leukemia was most prominent early (1958-1966), with 19 cases, 5 times more than expected (3.6). The excess of leukemia persisted into the later period (1972-1980), with 12 cases observed, 3.4 expected. There was an increase in lymphoma. Excess cases of thyroid cancer appeared early and a notable excess appeared later (14/1.7). An excess of breast cancer was noted later (27/14). There were more cancers of the gastrointestinal tract than expected. There was an excess of melanoma (12/4.5), bone cancer (8/0.7), and brain tumors (9/3.0). A subgroup with history of acute fallout effects had a higher cancer incidence. That these cases can be associated with radiation exposures is supported by a comparison between groups of the ratio of cancers of more radiosensitive organs with all other types of cancer.