Is there a danger of cancer to radiographers?

Kim, occupational exposure is so low that it's almost non-existant in a typical hospital/office setting. All radiographers need to be aware at all times--both for themselves and for their co-workers. All radiographers wear exposure badges at all times. They are read monthly or quarterly. When working with the portable x-ray equipment, in the o.r. or with fluoroscopy equipment, al full lead apron is worn by everyone in the room. These three departments do have slightly higher exposure but not to any extent that could be dangerous as will be reflected on the badge. The equipment is much safer and improves continually. One of the constants in the field is alara which means as low as reasonably achieveable. Everyone is very aware of this very important concept. Please don't worry at all about any illness from work-related radiation exposure.

There are studies which suggest that the dangers of occupational exposure to ionizing radiation were significant prior to the 1950's - "This study suggests an increased breast cancer risk associated with occupational radiation exposures prior to 1950, when radiation doses were probably the highest. There is also some suggestion of an increased risk for acute myelogenous and monocytic leukemia among radiologic technologists employed for longer durations prior to 1950. Given large differences in exposure over time, calendar time period of employment may be a more important predictor of occupational radiation exposure than total number of years worked. " This particular quote is from a study done at The Johns Hopkins University in 2001. You can find an abstract on the ASRT website, just do a search for 'cancer'.

Additionally, the longest running study of cancer and Radiologic Technologists (The US Radiologic Technologist Study) is run by the National Cancer Institute. Their research and findings can be found here: www.radtechstudy.nci.nih.gov./

Can being exposed to ionizing radiation cause cancer? Certainly. And if you're one of the millions of American's who voluntarily spends time on the beach and works to get a tan? You'll need to watch out for melanoma (skin cancer) in a few years.

I'm very curious about patients who were exposed to very high levels of 131I, some as high as 10,000x the doses that are currently used therapeutically? No badges are used for patients, who often, because of the nature of thyroid disease, have other exposures from other related & non-related health problems that include, but certainly weren't wearing monitoring badges, and still don't. Having many x-rays, repeated fluoroscopic studies during procedures, many, many x-rays over a lifetime (far more than the general population), and many had exposures & continue to, that are FAR outside the "normal" or even "safe" ranges, only to be sent home to children, other family members, etc. & were told to simply "limit exposure" to family, other than meals, bathroom, etc. While these protocols were changed over the years, I can't help but wonder about my daughter that was treated, my own breast cancer in stage 4d, and my grand daughter's cervical cancer at age 14. My daughter has had many health problems since, including skin cancer that she was discovered only 4 years after her 131I treatment at experimental doses, and was ignored for years because, as her doctors told her, "you're too young to have cancer. She was eventually treated for chest wall & distal skin cancers. There was no follow-up by the medical group that treated her, nor the family members she was around, including myself. She worries that her treatment and the directions we were given at the time, were not adequate and she wonders if her treatment might have caused my cancer and that of her daughter.

When she tried to get her medical records only a year or two later, that medical group had disappeared and no records were available. We tried to get records, and in our search for related health problems (hypothyroidism, chronic pain from osteopenia, osteoarthritis & others), that others were treated in Utah, the Florida - same doctors who disappeared from those locations too, & without follow-up.

Kim in Allentown, Pennsylvania said: Sorry if this has ever been asked before but I can't find an answer on here. Is it dangerous to become a radiographer? I know that everything is done to minimize exposure on the job, but can radiographers develop cancer from their work from exposure?

My father who was a very healthy x-ray tech. Died in August from Glioblastoma a very aggressive fast growing brain cancer. Dr's at Duke University seems to believe it was directly linked to his profession.

My father, James was a Radiological Technologist for many years. He was a very healthy man who took very good care of himself. My father was diagnosed with Glioblastoma, a very aggressive fast growing cancer. 14 months later he passed away. He went to the Doctors at Duke University where they truly believe his profession was directly linked to his cancer...

Fay in North Hollywood, California said: only to be sent home to children, other family members, etc. & were told to simply "limit exposure" to family, other than meals, bathroom, etc. While these protocols were changed over the years, I can't help but wonder about my daughter that was treated, my own breast cancer in stage 4d, and my grand daughter's cervical cancer at age 14. My daughter has had many health problems since, including skin cancer that she was discovered only 4 years after her 131I treatment at experimental doses, and was ignored for years because, as her doctors told her, "you're too young to have cancer. She was eventually treated for chest wall & distal skin cancers. There was no follow-up by the medical group that treated her, nor the family members she was around, including myself. She worries that her treatment and the directions we were given at the time, were not adequate and she wonders if her treatment might have caused my cancer and that of her daughter.

Was that person sent home with radioactive seeds inside them as a part of radiation therapy treatment? Unless I'm reading you wrong you seem to believe that x-rays are contagious? Is that correct?

I graduated from hosp based program in '86.. Worked as trauma & mammo tech for 10yrs before an unexpected 'Bipolar Disorder' cropped up making it impossible to continue.. 4yrs later, a tumor appeared on my right kidney (renal cell carcinoma) After being treated for the bipolar disorder for 7yrs with no improvement, I discovered many thyroid tumors on a Tspine MRI... 6mo later, had the thyroid removed along with all symptoms... Kidney cancer hasn't returned as of 12yrs later... Xray's are not all that safe ppl.....

I had over 100 xrays in less then 2 year span, most in one year, then MRI, several cat scans, 2 BMD's, several ultrasounds on heart and legs, now going for another one for hip issues.

I'm concerned about gamma ray exposure leading to cancer, they have me booked with a dermatologist soon.

I feel trapped if I get cancer, they were only trying to help me buy finding out why I have osteoporosis but I assumed they knew WTF they were doing and wouldn't expose me to any dangerous levels, it's not my Dr's fault as much as the hospitals records for not red flagging me and reaching Dr for comment and concerns