First, assess risk vs reward. You can often make this assessment through a conversation with your doctor. For example, when it comes to cancer treatment, the destruction or reduction in the size of a tumor will likely be worth the risk of the radiation load. However, if you decide to get a second or third opinion about your diagnosis, and each doctor insists on running his or her own CT scan rather than simply reading the one you've already had, then the exposure may be unnecessary. Discuss your concerns with your doctor to determine whether there is an acceptable alternative.
If you are pregnant, or suspect you might be pregnant, be sure to mention that to your doctor. Exposure during pregnancy may be harmful to your baby.
If you will undergo radiation therapy for cancer, then it can be useful to ask your oncologist what dose will be used, then ask the technician to confirm that dosage, just to compare notes. If the answers aren't the same, then ask someone to double-check.
When you will be getting a radiation-sourced medical test, ask that they cover the parts of your body not being tested. A good example is the way your dentist covers your torso and stomach prior to taking an x-ray of your teeth.
Keep track of all your medical tests, especially radiation-type tests like X-rays, CT scans, and PET scans. (Note - MRIs do not use radiation, but it's smart to track them, too.) Make a list that includes the date of the test, the type of test, and what was being tested. The next time a doctor orders one of those tests for you, show him or her the list and ask whether there is an alternative test to prevent overexposure to radiation.
If you would like to track your own radiation exposure, there are some tools available to do so:
- The About.com Guide to Colon Cancer has put together information about radiation levels.
- Calculate Your Radiation Dose - Information from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
- If you use an iPhone, there's an application called Radiation Passport that can be purchased in the Apple App Store.
Previous:
- Are You In Danger of Being Overexposed to Medical Radiation?
- How to Limit Exposure to Medical Radiation
Sources:
Mayo Clinic: Radiation Sickness (March 2010)
Medline Plus from the National Institutes of Health: Radiation Exposure (March 2010)
National Cancer Institute: Radiation Therapy for Cancer: Questions and Answers (March 2010)
David J. Brenner, Ph.D., D.Sc., and Eric J. Hall, D.Phil., D.Sc. Computed Tomography - An Increasing Source of Radiation Exposure New England Journal of Medicine November 2007 Volume 357:2277-2284
New York Times Health Guide - Radiation Sickness (March 2010)
