Amounts of radiation released into the environment are measured in units called curies. However, the dose of radiation that a person receives is measured in units called rem. Radiation Emergency Assistance Center/Training Site of Oak Ridge Associated Universities: Radiation Accident Management

Radiation is a special kind of energy carried by waves or a stream of particles. It can come from special machines or from radioactive substances. When radiation is used at high doses (many times those used for x-ray exams), it can treat cancer and other illnesses. Special equipment is used to aim the radiation at tumors or areas of the body where there is disease. The use of high-energy rays or particles to treat disease is called radiation therapy.

Since children get 80% of their lifetime sun exposure before the age of 18 and their skin is very sensitive they need special sun protection. Playing out in the sun is fun so let them wear a shirt, put on a wide brimmed hat and put on a good amount of sun protection cream with at least SPF 15. Reapply every one to two hours. Use sunblock on very exposed areas. They come in different colors and can even be fun for your children.

Catching rays, soaking up sun, baking on the beach there are myriad ways to describe the typical summer tanning experience. The popularity of tanning continues, despite well-proven correlation between sun exposure and skin cancer. Online enyclopedia and dictionary of weather terms for the school classroom or college. Book quality descriptions that make the science of meterology understandable, even to kids.

Radiation dermatitis is a condition of the radiation-exposed skin. The skin can become red, itchy and uncomfortable. The affected area can also become dry and flaky. Your physician will prescribe something for you that promotes healing. Some factors that determine whether or not you experience this skin problem include the kind of radiation beam, the part of your body that is being radiated, and the dose and duration of treatment. f.

If Dr. John Gwozdz is your radiation oncologist, you will see him at least once a week during the course of your treatment so that he can see how well you are tolerating the therapy. Usually the visit will take only a few minutes. There is always a radiation doctor available anytime you need to see one. RETURN TO TOP OF PAGE

After a diagnosis of cancer, a doctor will consider several factors in determining the course of treatment that will be most successful for a particular patient. These factors include the type of tumor, site of origin and the stage and grade of disease. These factors affect the likelihood of a particular therapy slowing down or stopping the disease process. In some cases, only one specific therapy may be appropriate.

Skin, head and neck, throat, larynx, breast, brain, prostate, colo-rectal, lung, bone, leukemia, among others.

Because an MRI scan uses a magnet and does not use X-ray or particle beams, an MRI scan produces no ionizing radiation.

I have been told that cockroaches are more resistant to radiation and in a world nuclear war, only the cockroaches would survive. But I have not seen any publication that discusses it with any credibility. I can give only an opinion of my own. I have irradiated cockroaches and constructed killing curves for them using gamma irradiation.

The thyroid glands of children are especially sensitive to radiation. Radiation exposure appears to cause a number of different thyroid problems including an underactive thyroid (Hypothyroidism), thyroid nodules, and thyroid cancer. The younger the child is when the radiation exposure occurs, the greater the risk is of these problems occurring.

While the adult thyroid gland is much less sensitive to radiation, it too may be affected, especially during radiation therapy for head and neck cancers. Hypothyroidism, thyroid nodules and thyroid cancer all can occur after radiation exposure in adults.