SHOULD YOU BE AFRAID OF RADIATION EXPOSURE DURING RADIATION DIAGNOSTICS?

Radiologic diagnostics is a section of medicine that allows to obtain detailed, now almost realistic, images of various internal organs of a person by means of a whole set of examinations and, accordingly, to detect deviations from the norm. Despite the breadth of application of radial diagnostic methods, there is a fairly common myth associated with the fear of being exposed to radiation during the study. Today, together with Tatev Aghababyan, head of the Department of Radiologic Diagnostics at the Tsyb MRSC, a branch of the National Medical Center of Radiology of the Russian Ministry of Health, we will dispel fears and share the most necessary knowledge about this section of medicine.

First of all, it is necessary to understand that radiation diagnostics includes such research methods as ultrasound, traditional radiography, CT, MRI and nuclear medicine methods. These examinations allow doctors to assess exactly what is happening to the patient.

“Is radiation exposure harmful?”

Unfortunately, most people still draw a parallel between radiation diagnosis and radiation exposure and are afraid of the consequences. For example, ultrasound or MRI, which are considered radiation diagnostic techniques, do not carry radiation exposure at all. “Let’s consider studies that involve radiation exposure (X-ray diagnostics and CT scans). If they are performed by competent experienced specialists on modern equipment, the radiation load is negligible. One such study is comparable to an airplane flight. I will say more: ultraviolet rays, which we meet on vacation at the sea or in a solarium, are even more dangerous in case of prolonged exposure,” Tatev Artakovna explains.

However, these methods offer tremendous opportunities for clinicians. Today, no section of clinical medicine can do without radial diagnostic methods, which are used to detect pathology, clarify its nature, prevalence, and monitor patients.
The role of radiation diagnostics methods for early detection of hidden diseases in those patients who do not yet have clinical manifestations of the disease is also very important.
“Thanks to the implementation of government programs, including the National Health Care Project, federal and regional medical centers are equipped with the highest level of technology. For example, the Tsyb MRSC, a branch of the National Medical Center of Radiology of the Ministry of Health of Russia, has a full range of necessary equipment to perform complex and high-precision studies, and, very importantly, with a low radiation dose,” says Tatev Artakovna.

Recommended for whom?

– Any, even the most harmless study, should be performed for a clear goal, and the most harmless method of radiation diagnostics available in the arsenal of the medical institution should be used to achieve it. Only then we will get an effective description, conducting a safe study for the patient, – emphasizes the specialist. Of course, any study should be performed on the indications.

Paid or free?

Studies in the departments of radial diagnostics can be performed within the framework of compulsory and voluntary medical insurance programs when providing the appropriate documents. It is also possible to receive high-precision diagnostics on a paid basis.

You can make an appointment for a study by calling the contact centers:
• A. Tsyb Medical Radiological Research Centre (MRRC) – 8 800 250-87-00
• P. Hertsen Moscow Oncology Research Institute (MORI) – 8 495 150-11-22
• N. Lopatkin Scientific Research Institute of Urology and Interventional Radiology (SRIUIR) 8 499 110-40-67