Skin cancer (squamous cell)

Having X-rays or working with X-rays

X-ray
X-rays are pictures taken of the inside of your body. They are done by passing very small amounts of radiation through your body and onto film. X-rays can also be used as a treatment, such as in radiation therapy for cancer.

X-rays are a type of radiation. They were used in the 1940s and 1950s to treat skin conditions such as acne. If you had this treatment, you're at higher risk of getting squamous cell skin cancer.

Doctors don't use this type of treatment anymore. But if you regularly work with X-rays, you may be at a higher risk of getting this cancer.

Source:
Alam M, Ratner D.
Cutaneous squamous-cell carcinoma.
New England Journal of Medicine. 2001; 344: 975-83.

Sources for the information on this page:

Alam M, Ratner D.Cutaneous squamous-cell carcinoma.New England Journal of Medicine. 2001; 344: 975-83.

This information was last updated on Apr 14, 2009

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