X-RAYS, RADIATION, AND YOU

Article Tools

Image Gallery

Print

E-mail

Comments

RSS

MEDICAL USES OF RADIATION

Radiation does perform an important role in modern medicine, however, in several ways: [1] X-rays are used to take diagnostic "photos", [2] radioactive "tracers" (either ingested by or injected into patients) are employed to help analyze internal body functions, and [3] ionizing radiation is focused on specific areas to inhibit the growth or activity of tumors and the like.

X-rays, though, are the most commonly used form of radiation . . . and are, in fact, the largest single man-made source of radiation exposure for the U. S. population.

Many knowledgeable people find this fact highly disturbing. In the introduction to Medical and Dental X-Rays: A Consumer's Guide to Avoiding Unnecessary Radiation Exposure by Priscilla Laws, Dr. Sidney Wolfe (Director of the Health Research Group, an arm of Ralph Nader's Public Citizen organization) estimates that "more than half of the diagnostic X-ray doses currently received by residents of the United States are unnecessary". Such exposures are the result of needless X-rays, faulty equipment, inadequate shielding of the patient, and treatment with more than the minimum dose required. "Cancer and genetic damage alone," Dr. Wolfe says, "among the many adverse consequences of radiation exposure, may account for as many as a thousand deaths each year from medical and dental X-rays."

Unfortunately, not much is being done to remedy the situation. The Environmental Protection Agency does recommend safe levels of exposure for health workers and patients, but the guidelines aren't enforced. Monitoring of X-ray machines is sporadic and unregulated . . . and there's little standardization of training and licensing procedures for X-ray technicians. Furthermore, any physician can order any radiological procedure, even though he or she may have no training in the principles of radiological protection. The Public Health Service does set standards for radiology labs . . . however, compliance with its recommendations is voluntary.

HOW TO AVOID UNNECESSARY X-RAYS

Obviously, there are many cases where the use of X-rays is well-advised and quite legitimate. But they should never be undertaken lightly, or accepted as "routine". In her book, Priscilla Laws suggests that you follow several basic guidelines to minimize exposure to diagnostic X-rays:

[1] Ask any doctor or health worker who advises an X-ray to explain exactly what will be gained from the procedure (this is especially important if a high dose of radiation will be involved). Many X-rays are given not for the patient's benefit, but for the doctor's. One recent study concluded that "approximately 30% of the total X-rays ordered are related to the physician's concern for potential malpractice threats and are not primarily designed to assist the patient".

RSS | Comments | E-mail | Print