Health risks of medical radiation courses? (1 Viewer)

[whimagent]

I hear the pay is good and it's standard procedure to get in. But I don't want to end up in 30 years finding out I have cancer.

 

[Lori.]

you're more than likely to get cancer anyways.

But on the job, obviously you'll be wearing ppe when exposed to radiation.

 

[iamsickofyear12]

I hear the pay is good and it's standard procedure to get in. But I don't want to end up in 30 years finding out I have cancer.

What do you mean 30 years. Most people in jobs involving medical radiation only live until about 35.

 

[MaNiElla]

I dont know, but i hear its pretty risky. I know this couple who ended up having 2 disabled children because of that. They blame the guys job, which is something that involves working with medical radiation...

 

[!!Chocoholic!!!]

haha

well, its not risky if you take the measures you are meant to take. I know a few radiographers who dont follow the measures for their own protection and put patients and quality of the x rays first, which really, is stupid.

And by measures, I merely mean - stay behind the screen while x raying and wear lead gown when in theatre or doing a procedure. How hard is that now?

 

[d00d34]

haha

well, its not risky if you take the measures you are meant to take. I know a few radiographers who dont follow the measures for their own protection and put patients and quality of the x rays first, which really, is stupid.

And by measures, I merely mean - stay behind the screen while x raying and wear lead gown when in theatre or doing a procedure. How hard is that now?

+1

Also you're wearing radiation badges that monitor the amount of radiation (if any) you receive. If some machine is faulty and spraying x-rays, they'll pick it up. You prolly getting dosed with background radiation now anyway.

 

[me-mfhs]

noooooooooooooooooooo :'(!!!!!!!!!!! dont diiiiiiiiiiieee

 

[fallen__angel]

What do you mean 30 years. Most people in jobs involving medical radiation only live until about 35.

It is mandatory to wear radiation monitors and lead gowns in theatre. In normal x-ray rooms you hide behind lead glass. The whole point of the radiation monitor is to see how much radiation you're getting, and if you exceed a certain amount you're not allowed to work till the dose wears off.

Don't believe ppl who know nothing about the industry *looks at SOME ppl above*

hi steve =P didn't know u hang around here ahaha

 

[whimagent]

I'm considering this now. Since I didn't make the pharmacy cut off. I'm boned for that.

But I need an honest response to the safey risks as a diagnostic radiographer.

 

[~Fire Jade~]

Same here as whimagent.
Seriously, are there *any* life threatening risks?

 

[sparkerasp]

I'm considering this now. Since I didn't make the pharmacy cut off. I'm boned for that.

But I need an honest response to the safey risks as a diagnostic radiographer.

"...There is a great deal of misunderstanding about radiation. Through their studies the Diagnostic Radiographer/Medical Imaging Technologist and Radiation Therapist learns how to minimize the radiation dose to themselves, the patient and the public.
Occupational exposure of radiation professionals is closely monitored with the use of specialised devices both personal and throughout the department..."

Quoted from Student Information - Australian Institute of Radiography

You will end up getting frequent miniscule amounts of radiation, but apparently, that amount is almost negligible. The build up over time is maybe what causes problems.

I hear the pay is good

Your health should come first

 

[MysticalElement]

I'm also worried about this, ill try and ask someone at usyd tommorrow, its the only thing that's really putting me off.

 

[fallen__angel]

think about this...if you get a chest x-ray done, the radiation you're getting is about the same as what you'd get on a 4 hour plane trip.
Now as a x-ray tech, not only do you have to go a fair bit away from the x-ray source (inverse square law), you're hiding behind lead glass too.

And personal radiation monitors are essential. Without one you cannot work (or even go on clinicals), and these are checked at least half-yearly. If you were exposed to radiation levels beyond the safe threshold, you cannot work until the dosage has worn off.

 

[kingwang26]

the background radiation is 2mSv per year
diag get about 0.5mSv per year extra
nuc med get about 2-3mSv extra per year
RT gets to 2 weeks and death

 

[juggernaut]

Do you really think there is going to be serious health risks in a national health job ? Think about it. There is without question procedures and precautions that make this completely safe. Otherwise it wouldnt be allowed.