After Chernobyl, an increase in thyroid cancers among those who were children or adolescents at the time and exposed to radioactive iodine, mainly through contaminated milk, is documented. This is a real effect. But turning it into 'nuclear is the main cause of cancer' in all areas near plants is not supported. Cancers have many causes and require dose, exposed population, and specific epidemiological data.
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74.
Is nuclear energy the main cause of cancer in affected areas?
Not as a general statement.
