Antinuclear

Nuclear power and radiation – theme for October 2011 – the medical aspect

Back in the early 1940s, Dr Charles Pecher pioneered radiation as a treatment for cancer – ( until his work was taken over by the military to use radiation as a weapon.).  Still, medical radiation has an honourable history and valuable role in treating cancer.

But medical radiation is a two-edged sword. We need to remember the risks it can carry to radiation technologists, nurses, doctors,  other patients in hospital,  and  family members.  Children can be at particular risk.

This is illustrated in a recent news item:    Radiation treatment meant mother could not touch son Hartlepool Mail, 30 September 2011   A MUM was forced to stay away from her baby son after being given potentially dangerous treatment when she found she had a rare form of cancer.  New mum Jill Teasdale could not get close to little son Max just months after he was born after contracting thyroid cancer.

The 30-year-old found a lump in her neck and following hospital tests, was diagnosed with papillary thyroid cancer. Within weeks, she had undergone an operation to remove her thyroid gland and was prescribed a course of radioactive iodine treatment.

“The treatment lasted about a week, but because of the radiation I wasn’t allowed to get close to my little boy,” she said. “I had to have minimum contact.”

Although diagnosed in June 2009, it was not until the following April that Jill was given the all clear….. http://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/news/local/radiation_treatment_meant_mother_could_not_touch_son_1_3822684

October 1, 2011 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina themes