Negosentro | The Importance Of Shielding In Radiology | There are many benefits to shielding during X-rays, including protecting X-ray staff from external radiation. Shielding in radiology also protects the unborn child from radiation-induced cancer. Here are some of the reasons why shielding is important:
Protects X-ray staff from external radiation
The main source of radiation exposure for X-ray technicians is the scattered radiation from the patient. The dose of radiation from the patient is highest on the entrance side of the X-ray beam, the side with the X-ray tube. Fluoroscopic procedures should be performed on the detector side. Approximately 1% to 5% of the radiation falling on the patient leaves the X-ray tube on the exit side.
To reduce the dose of radiation, medical specialists use personal protective equipment (PPE). Ceiling-suspended lead-acrylic shields are a common option, which reduce the dose to the head by 10 times. Alternatively, portable rolling shields are another great option, which do not require installation. Portable shields are ideal for interventional settings and operating rooms, and they have been shown to reduce radiation dose by ninety percent. Lead-apron aprons are also a requirement for all personnel, and they come in 0.25, 0.35, and 0.5-mm thickness.
Protects unborn child from radiation-induced cancer
It is very important to protect an unborn child from radiation-induced cancer. A child who has been exposed to high radiation levels before conception has a higher risk of developing cancer than an unborn child exposed to the same amount after birth. While the amount of radiation that an unborn child receives during pregnancy is much lower than the mother’s, the health effects are still significant. The consequences of exposing an unborn child to radiation during pregnancy include congenital abnormalities, weakened brain function, and even cancer.
A single exposure to radiation is equivalent to up to one gray (Gy) or x-rays (rads) received by an unborn child. The concentration of radiation received by a fetus is dependent on the type of substance used and the stage of development of the child. In general, the LD50/LD60 and LD100 values are equivalent to the dose required to cause cancer in 50% of the population after 60 days.
It is important to note that the risk of solid cancer declines with age, but for the youngest infants, the risk of radiation-induced cancer is still 47% higher than for adults. Moreover, the risk of radiation-induced cancer is associated with the digestive and other respiratory systems, and not with other diseases. Further investigations are needed to determine the safe level of exposure and develop protective guidelines. These studies are ongoing and will continue for a long time.
Protects thyroid gland from radiation-induced cancer
In case you have recently visited an area affected by a nuclear reactor accident, you may have noticed signs of thyroid cancer. The presence of radioactive iodine is harmful to the thyroid gland and taking too much can cause cancer. To prevent this condition, take normal amounts of iodine. In addition, shower frequently to remove contamination from your skin. Milk from cows grazing in a nuclear reactor accident area can contain radioactive iodine. Follow government information carefully and avoid local vegetables and milk.
The risk of thyroid cancer is increased in children who have undergone radioactive treatment, even at very low levels. Children are more sensitive to radiation than adults and are more susceptible to developing thyroid malignancy even after receiving only small doses. However, after exposure to ten to twenty Gy, the excess risk remains, lasting for at least four decades. This means that radiation-induced thyroid cancer has a long-term impact on children.
Children and young adults should receive periodic checkups to make sure that their thyroids are healthy. The doses of radiation to the thyroid gland during radioactive iodine treatment is much lower than in Chernobyl. However, the number of thyroid cancer cases has not been consolidated, and this number will likely rise as the years go by. And even if you don’t have thyroid cancer, taking KI can help you avoid getting thyroid cancer.
In the early 1990s, pediatricians started to notice a rise in thyroid cancer in children. The increase was attributed mainly to radioactive iodine released during the Chernobyl disaster. And this increased the risk of thyroid cancer. And the more radiation a child received, the higher the risk of developing thyroid cancer. There is no known cure for thyroid cancer, but you can help reduce your risk by taking iodine supplements.
The doses affecting the thyroid depend on its volume and the tumors around it. A mean dose of 30 Gy could protect the thyroid gland from radiation-induced cancer, although the exact figure depends on the thyroid tumor’s volume. The researchers who conducted the research also determined that a dose of 30 Gy is protective for thyroid function. These researchers concluded that it may be possible to avoid radiation exposures to the thyroid gland by limiting the radiation field to the tumor.
Although the increase in papillary thyroid cancer may be associated with increased use of medical radiation, the exact relationship is unclear. A physician should periodically check for thyroid nodules in patients who have received radiation therapy. Repeating ultrasounds every 12-24 months for small nodules may decrease your risk of developing thyroid cancer. Larger nodules, however, should be examined more frequently, resulting in surgery if they are cancerous.
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