Patient exposure to ionizing radiation from diagnostic imaging procedures

Patient Exposure to Multiple Diagnostic Treatment Procedures

The objective of this study is to examine patient exposures to multiple diagnostic and/or treatment procedures.

Environmental health research is reported as the "study of the effects of the environment -- both natural and built -- on our health." (Environmental Health for Nations and Intuit, 2012, p.1) It is reported by the EU that links existing between "environmental factors and disease trends are now being discovered through numerous scientific project" and that those include the following links: (1) rates of cancer and specifically cancer in children is on the increase approximately 1% each year and linked to environmental pollutants; (2) decline in fertility rates; (3) neurodevelopment disorders increasing in children including autism and environmental exposures are believed to play a role; (4) allergies and asthma increasing by 5% a year across the continent and air pollutants are believed to be the reason for the increase; (5) Finally, it is reported that "new and emerging technologies and social challenges such as widespread and use of mobile phones and the consequences of climate change could bring new long-term health consequences that must be assumed and managed. ( p.5)

I. Diagnostic Procedures

It is reported in the work of Kleinerman (2006) that the expanded use of "interventional and fluoroscopic imaging in children represents a tremendous benefit for the diagnosis and treatment of benign conditions. Along with the increasing use and complexity of these procedures comes concern about the cancer risk associated with ionizing radiation exposure to children. Children are considerably more sensitive to the carcinogenic effects of ionizing radiation than adults, and children have a longer life expectancy in which to express risk. Numerous epidemiologic cohort studies of childhood exposure to radiation for treatment of benign diseases have demonstrated radiation-related risks of cancer of the thyroid, breast, brain and skin, as well as leukemia." (p.1)

Stanford School of Medicine reports that nuclear medicine "involves the use of small amounts of radioactive materials (or tracers) to help diagnosis and treat a variety of diseases. Nuclear medicine determines the cause of the medical problem based on the function of the organ, tissue, or bone." (2012, p .1) PET is one of the diagnostic testing procedures that is stated to be "powerful" and to have a "major impact on the diagnosis and treatment of disease." (Stanford School of Medicine, 2012, p.1) PET is able to detect and stage the majority of cancers "often before they are evident through other tests. PET can also give physicians important early information about heart disease and many neurological disorders, like Alzheimer's." (Stanford School of Medicine, 2012, p.1) The PET scan is such that examines the individual's body chemistry and enables physicians to collect "images of function throughout the entire body, uncovering abnormalities that might otherwise go undetected." (Stanford School of Medicine, 2012, .1)

Summary and Conclusion

There is a risk of cancer due to patient radiation exposure during diagnostic testing procedures however; the apparent benefits of the procedures override the concerns of radiation exposure of patients. Individuals should question their physicians about the danger of radiation exposure during multiple imaging diagnostic testing procedures.