The radiation exposure resulting from standard scoliosis radiographs was
determined for eighteen adolescent girls. The risk of inducing breast
cancer was estimated from the skin-exposure doses. The average skin
exposure to the breasts was 59.6 millirads (0.59 mGy) for the
anteroposterior radiograph. Assuming a total of twenty-two anteroposterior
radiographs during a course of treatment, the cumulative exposure would
result in a 1.35% relative increase in the risk of development of breast
cancer. By utilizing collimation of the x-ray beam and proper selection of
grids, films, and screens, the radiation risk of scoliosis radiographs is
minimized.