X Rays

[Bazile]

Is there a maximum number of xrays that is recomended , over a period of time - and if so what is the number and over what period of time

What are the dangers to your body of exceeding this limit

[sonali]

sorry i do not know the max number of x rays recommended but what i know is the dangers of x-rays over the limit. if you keep having x-rays or get exposed to x-rays it is possible that the rays hit your cell and ionise the cell causing cancer or mutation that is why doctors or nurses get out of the room that the x-ray is being performed.
x-ray is dangerous because it is a wave and of high frequency and easy to hit the cell

hope that helps
xx

[SLAlamar]

My wife is a Radiographic Tech so I went ahead and asked her your question. Her answer is ....

No. There is no # of xrays over any period of time. X-rays are not a cumulative radiation, it does not stay with you long enough to collect and thus do any damage. It is generally concindered that the health benefits of X-rays far outweigh any possible negative effects. Lead shielding is used to cover "sensitive" areas such as genitalia to prevent effecting the delicate reproductive cycle.
Hope that answered the question for you.

[Bazile]

Thanks both

However i'm still slightly confused , because I have read some info since my post ( google serach ) that says that there is a risk of cell damage from xrays that can cause the cells to become cancerous

The suggestion is that although the risk is not large , the risk increases depending on the type of xray i.e from simple ones through to ones like CT scans , barium enemas , barium meals etc

SLAlamer - any chance of seeking your wife's further comments on the above ?

Thanks

[SLAlamar]

The part of the wavelength that is dangerous, is if the wave does not pass completely through the body part. this would be due to body thickness. It is when the wave does not pass through that it can damage cells or when the wave bounces back off a cell (scatter radiation) is more damaging. Scatter radiation is more likely in an abdomin xray or thigh, but no so much for say a hand or finger or foot.
What is written for the public is intended to scare the public. The reality of xrays are they are safer than all of us have been lead to believe.
My wife says that she personally has never known of a case of cancer caused by having xrays.
We use radiation to kill cancer cells. and that has a higher risk even though it is intended to help.
the reasons for say not doing xrays on a pregnant woman is the fetus is made up of young cells, that are just starting to form and so the danger is increased.
the reasons for putting shielding reproductive organs is again, the cells there are always forming and thus at higher risk.
Search on the net, radiation protection that may give you more precice info.
My wife has been an xray tech for 22 years and has no signs of problems from exposure which if you think about it, even with all the "protection" that is alot of residual exposure.
I hope that helps

[Italie]

Sorry SLAlamar. I dont know if your wife is a Radiographer or a Radiographic helper (HUGE difference in training) but the information offered isnt entirely correct.

There IS a risk of developing cancer from X-Rays which is why the IRMER regulations are in place to limit the amount of diagnostic radiographic images which can be taken. Only Consultant Radiologists can authorise these exams to take place and WILL NOT DO SO unless there is a very good case for it. If there was insignificant risk then the protocols would not be so stringent.

Bazile, you are right that different exams carry different risks e.g. there is a widely known and publicised fact among Radiologists that there is a 1 in 2000 chance of you developing a cancer from the CT scan itself. This far outweighs the risks of a plain film x-ray or barium examination. This information is not widely spread throughout the general public as no-one wants to cause panic and, yes, if you have a cancer then it's better to find it on a CT scan and commence treatment than to be scared of the exam. It is NOT the case whatsoever that we are advised that the dangers are higher than they actually are.

There are no figures as to the maximum you should receive however 'as little as possible' is a good rule and the rule advised by the relevant regulating bodies.

[Bazile]

Thanks folks

Italie - You state that there are regulations in place to limit the amount of diagnostic radiographic images
that can be taken and only a Consultant radioologist can authorise these exams

But say , if a patient is sent to hospital for an xray , by his GP , how would the consultant radiologist know how many xrays that person has had previously OR do you mean if the person is sent for more than one xray at the same time ?

Also , where would I be able to see published literature regarding the various cancer risks of different types of xrays - is there a website ?

Thanks

[Italie]

If you type IRMER into google you will come up with quite a few websites you can go through. There are a few presentations on there which are good and in laymans terms.

I'm sorry i've tried to put the link on here but it's not working for me.

In answer to your question, Consultants will only accept referrals with a detailed clinical history which will give an indication of whether the patient has had a lifetime of x-rays or relatively little, although if a diagnostic exam is required then it will be done regardless of how many they have received. The risks are balanced against the benefits.

Referrals are not accepted directly from GP's as they are deemed to not have the necessary clinical expertise. GP's would refer to specialists in the required field who would, in turn, refer to radiology if necessary. Again this is to minimise the number of unnecessary referrals.

Consultants will always choose the exam with the least transfer of radiation, such as Ultrasound and MRI, as opposed to CT where possible and will scan as small an area as possible to reduce the radiation dose. Within Radiology ALARA ('As Low As Reasonably Achievable') is the key to dosage.

There is natural radiation all round us and if you find a presentation entitled "IRR99 IRMER 2000 The Regulations" it tells you how the various examinations match up to the dose of radiation naturally absorbed e.g. CT of abdomen = 4.5 years of natural radiation.

There are plenty of websites on the subject, you just have to trawl them and be aware that it is in some peoples interest to down-play the risks involved.

Hope this has helped.

[Bazile]

Thanks - i'll visit the websites

What I meant was if my GP sends me for several xrays, say within a year ( not reffering me to a consulatnt - but just having an xray with the result going back to the surgery ) noone at the hospital is going to know how many I have had , each time I turn up - and therefore question the safety of having so many xrays .

Likewise , if i'm seeing - a consultant/ consultants and he/she considers that an xray is necessary - he/she is not going to know the number of xrays iv'e had in the past through various consultants and through my gp .

What I'm concerned about , is no one is monitoring all these xrays i'm having in terms of the safety aspect .

Am I wrong to be worried about this ?

[Italie]

There is absolutely no need to be worried about this.

I have managed 3 Radiology departments within hospitals and in all 3 hospitals GP's have not been able to refer directly to the department. If a GP sent a referral card it would be returned to him stating that he MUST refer to a specialist who would then refer if necessary. This is to ensure that unnecessary exams are not requested. e.g. if your GP suspected a bowel disorder he may request a Barium Enema. If you were referred to the colorectal service of your local hospital, who are specialists and see sympoms thousands of times a year, they may see this as unnecessary and send you for a colonoscopy (non-radiographic exam). They would also have your hospital medical records.
The only thing GP's would refer directly for would be broken bones in which case this exam WOULD HAVE TO BE CARRIED OUT regardless of how many you had xrays you had received before. Believe me, I have seen patients with a list of x-rays as long as your arm and they dont have any apparent negative effects. Knowing all I know about radiation, I would personally only become concerned if I were to get to, say, 5 or so CT scans. Anything other than this I wouldnt be overly worried about.

These exams are not given out without proper considersation so please dont worry about it. If you are given a radiographic exam it is for a very good, and proven, reason.

Dont worry

Natalie

[Italie]

There is absolutely no need to be worried about this.

I have managed 3 Radiology departments within hospitals and in all 3 hospitals GP's have not been able to refer directly to the department. If a GP sent a referral card it would be returned to him stating that he MUST refer to a specialist who would then refer if necessary. This is to ensure that unnecessary exams are not requested. e.g. if your GP suspected a bowel disorder he may request a Barium Enema. If you were referred to the colorectal service of your local hospital, who are specialists and see sympoms thousands of times a year, they may see this as unnecessary and send you for a colonoscopy (non-radiographic exam). They would also have your hospital medical records.
The only thing GP's would refer directly for would be broken bones in which case this exam WOULD HAVE TO BE CARRIED OUT regardless of how many you had xrays you had received before. Believe me, I have seen patients with a list of x-rays as long as your arm and they dont have any apparent negative effects. Knowing all I know about radiation, I would personally only become concerned if I were to get to, say, 5 or so CT scans. Anything other than this I wouldnt be overly worried about.

These exams are not given out without proper considersation so please dont worry about it. If you are given a radiographic exam it is for a very good, and proven, reason.

Dont worry

Italie

[Bazile]

I very much , appreciate your replies - Thank you

One final question , for clarification ( i know I'm being a pain )

My GP requested ( another xray ) a lower back xray from the hospital , because of back pains I have been experiencing - which was carried out yesterday - tuesday .

I simply turned up at the xray department , it was carried out and I was told to contact my GP in a week or so , for the results.

Are you saying that , even though I did not see a Consultant or any other doctor at the hospital , the xray request would have been seen / considered by a Consulatant / Doctor at the hospital before it was carried out ?