Animal and Human Cancer Therapeutic Studies

Shortly after Roentgen discovered X-rays in 1895, scientists learned that low-dose X-ray exposures cured and prevented infections and inflammations, primarily due to immune system stimulation. The stimulatory virtues of radium therapy for health and well-being were promoted until the late 1920s, when the hazards of very high radiation doses from internal radium became apparent. Studies showing that low-dose radiation is beneficial were simply ignored by the federal agencies and their advisory bodies. In 1936, a US National Academy of Sciences study discounted the known stimulatory effects of low-dose radiation [1].

Some of the many benefits of low-dose radiation identified in the early 1900s were cure of diphtheria, relief from arthritis and rheumatism pain and swelling, relief from symptoms of bronchitis, cure of gas gangrene and tuberculosis infections, and reduction of cancer incidence (in animals). Clostridium is the cause of gas gangrene, which is rapidly fatal if not immediately treated. During 1920s to 1940s, gas gangrene infections were successfully treated by exposure of the infected area to an X-ray dose of about 0.5 Gy. X-ray therapy often stopped the infection without requiring amputation. Mortality was cut to about 5% if patients were treated by radiotherapy prior to severe progression of the infection [2]. A book published by Kelly and Dowell in 1942 on The Roentgen Treatment of Infections contained hundreds of case reports demonstrating the efficacy of low doses roentgen radiation in treating various infections and cancers [3].

Readily available LDRT is needed in the U.S. for the more effective treatment of cancer

(Jerry Cuttler)