Have you ever wondered how much radiation you are being
exposed to when your doctor tells you that you need to get an X-Ray or a CT
exam? Perhaps you think that it will be like The Incredible Hulk or the
Fantastic Four, and you’ll receive superhuman strength or abilities. Or perhaps
you’ve seen movies such as K-19, where the guys on the submarine go to work on
the nuclear reaction, and come out all burnt and throwing up their insides.
Fortunately for us, we neither have to worry about turning into a “Stretch
Armstrong” or going blind from a standard procedure, but there are some things
that you need to know about diagnostic imaging that uses radiation.
Am I exposed to
radiation besides X-rays?
First of all, we are exposed to radiation every day; luckily
it’s such a small quantity that most of us will never be affected by it. There
is natural background radiation produced by the earth, and also radiation we
receive while flying on a plane. But we will focus on the radiation that we can
measure, and to understand radiation better, we need to understand what an
X-ray is.
What are X-rays?
X-rays are beams of ionizing radiation that pass through the
body and are altered by different tissues to create images. X-rays can damage
your cells, and even cause mutations, which can definitely lead to cancer. And
if you are a woman of child bearing age (age 9-55), X-rays can be particularly
damaging to the fetus, especially in the first trimester. So if you have been
sexually active, and there is even a 1% chance you are pregnant, tell your
doctor. A simple pregnancy test can prevent unnecessary risk and heartache that
you can’t reverse later down the road.
Who are those performing the X-Ray exams?
Most people are clueless of the dangers of radiation because
you can’t see, smell, or touch X-rays. They travel at the speed of light, and
as an X-ray passes through matter, it actually scatters in all directions.
However, careful measures are taken by radiologic technologists who go through
specialized training to learn how to use the least amount of radiation possible
in order to obtain an image that the doctor can use to diagnose a situation.
These radiologic technologists then have to pass a national test, where they
then become registered technologists.
How much radiation do I receive in a basic X-ray exam?
So, how much radiation do you receive during a routine exam?
As I said before, we receive background radiation every single day, so let’s
compare routine exams to 1 day of background radiation. Probably the most
common radiograph (X-ray) taken is of the chest. A single chest radiograph is
equivalent to 1 day of background radiation. CTs use much higher doses compared
to radiographs. A head CT is equivalent to 8 months of background radiation,
and an Abdominal CT is equivalent to 20 months.
So are these exams safe? There will always be some risk
involved, but your doctor weighs the risks against the benefits. CTs and
radiographs are considered safe, and every person has a record on file of how
much dose they have received. Also, these technologists who perform the exams
are trained to use lead shielding to stop scatter radiation and reduce the
total dose as much as possible. Some areas of the body are much more
susceptible to radiation, especially glands such as the gonads (testes and
ovaries), and thyroids.
What can I do to reduce my radiation dose?
You can also take an active role in protecting yourself.
Whenever you get a radiograph, make sure they are giving you shielding. Like I
said before, registered technologists are trained to use lead, but they are
human, and can forget or get complacent. Speak up and request a lead apron and
thyroid shield on every exam above the abdomen. As long as the shielding does
not interfere with the radiograph, such as cover the area of interest, you are
allowed that right. Another area to be aware of is when you go to the dentist.
They are going to take radiographs and/or panoramics of your teeth, and you
should be offered a lead apron and thyroid shield. If not, definitely ask for
one. It is reasonable and you’re right to ask for one.
