Health Risks in radiology?

[MrsSportcat]

I'm considering going to school to become an RT. I'm just starting my research on this. I'm concerned about the health risks related to a job that works with radiation. If I became an RT, would I be at a higher risk for cancer, etc.? How do you protect yourself from exposure?

[justme1972]

I know of two older Radiology Technicians....both have cancer. One brain, one lung.

Now, these folks are in their early 60's. There wasn't alot of protection available for RT's in the early years of the profession when they took X-rays with portable machines into patient's rooms. This may have been the source of exposure.

Only another generation of "new practices" of protection, will be the telling factor.

[DutchgirlRN, ASN, RN]

Hogwash! At least regarding the safety of radiology today. Everyone knows someone who has or has had cancer. What are their personal risks? Smoker? Family History?

Everyone wears radiation detecting badges on their uniforms. They are tested monthly. No one ever shows any exposure to radiation at all. We have pregnant women working in radiology and nuclear medicine. No radiation has ever shown up! The portables done in the patients rooms are done with lead aprons on and the machines of today are dramatically improved over the ones used years ago. I wouldn't be scared of radiation in the least!

I am an RN who works in medical imaging. From my perspective, CT, MRI and ultrasound etc...is an awesome field to be in. I have heard the techs comenting on how hard it is to get into radiology school because there are so few spots available and they says it's getting harder for radiology professionals to get full-time positions. That's what I'm hearing but I wouldn't let the safety be an issue in deciding your future. Good Luck!

[jer_sd]

Umm if your staff is neverhaving any radiation show up on the personal dosimitry then there is a huge problem with your department. The staff who work in fluro, special procedures and even nulcear medicine should be having some radiation exposure (above background). General x-ray, CT likley have minimal exposure, ultrasound and MRI do not use ionizing radiation.

There are risks to working with radiation but you are trained the safely work with it in school and then also on the job after graduation. I enjoy teaching radiation biology to my nuclear medicine studentsm, and there are risks but with safe practices the risks are minimized.

Jeremy

Hogwash! At least regarding the safety of radiology today. Everyone knows someone who has or has had cancer. What are their personal risks? Smoker? Family History?

Everyone wears radiation detecting badges on their uniforms. They are tested monthly. No one ever shows any exposure to radiation at all. We have pregnant women working in radiology and nuclear medicine. No radiation has ever shown up! The portables done in the patients rooms are done with lead aprons on and the machines of today are dramatically improved over the ones used years ago. I wouldn't be scared of radiation in the least!

I am an RN who works in medical imaging. From my perspective, CT, MRI and ultrasound etc...is an awesome field to be in. I have heard the techs comenting on how hard it is to get into radiology school because there are so few spots available and they says it's getting harder for radiology professionals to get full-time positions. That's what I'm hearing but I wouldn't let the safety be an issue in deciding your future. Good Luck!

[DutchgirlRN, ASN, RN]

if your staff is neverhaving any radiation show up on the personal dosimitry then there is a huge problem with your department.

Not any dangerous levels show up would be a better choice of words.

[JSN908]

Here is a great overview for Basic Radiation Safety. I was given nothing in regards to safety so that was something I had to learn quick. Hope you find it helps.

JSN908

http://www.ansellhealthcare.com/america/usa/ceu/program13/page15.htm?