The protective benefits of UV radiation are undeniable. Warnings about limited and sensible exposure to the sun or UV radiation are exaggerated. Several researchers, most notably Dr. William Grant, have published peer-reviewed articles demonstrating that in America, for example, increased sun exposure would result in 185,000 fewer cases of internal cancer and 30,000 fewer deaths from cancer of the breast, ovaries, colon, prostate, bladder, uterus, esophagus, rectum and stomach.

Long term: The increased severity of fine lines and wrinkles, age spots, and other aging-related skin problems. Also, skin cancers, including Melanoma. Most of these harmful effects are caused by UVB, the most dangerous form of UV radiation that penetrates our atmosphere. UVA is the UV radiation that gives you a tan, but keep in mind that the full effects of UVA are still not known, and some scientists believe that it may be somewhat harmful as well. See similar questions...

Our protocols are built to insure the lowest dose possible, minimizing risk to non-calculable levels. The breast tissue in the chest CT study is exposed to no more radiation than a mammogram (or simply living in Denver for six months!). Our low dose technique for the full body exam produces 1/2 to 1/3 of the exposure of a conventional CT study, of which, more than 30 million are ordered yearly by doctors in the U.S. for known medical problems. See similar questions...

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. See similar questions...

Thyroid problems may occur as soon as a few years (2-3 years for hypothyroidism) or as long as many years (8-12+ years for thyroid nodules and thyroid cancer) after the radiation exposure. See similar questions...

Our screening scans use much less radiation than typical diagnostic CT scans. The dose from a coronary artery scan is about equal to the radiation exposure you would get from living in Denver for one year. Although there has been some attention to the issue of radiation exposure in the media, the radiation doses involved in those studies are 2-10 times greater than we typically use for our screening scans. See similar questions...

No. The use and transportation of radioactive materials, including the facilities in which they are used and the equipment in those facilities, is closely monitored by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, state agencies and the Department of Transportation. The radioactive material itself is sealed within two layers of metal that prevent corrosion and oxidation. When shipped, it is placed within brick layers of lead that prevent gamma rays from escaping. See similar questions...

The objective of scans and screens is to provide clear, 3-D images of the patient's body and to do so with maximum safety and comfort. The efficiency of these testing methods is judged by the non-intrusive, detailed and rapid results obtained. A major benefit is the negligible amount of radiation involved and sometimes compared to a dental x-ray or a pleasant stroll on a sunny afternoon. See similar questions...

Generally speaking there are high levels and low levels of radiation exposure . High levels include atomic bomb exposures and exposures from some industrial accidents. We know that people exposed to high levels of radiation can become sick. Radiation sickness or poisoning can occur within days or weeks of exposure. People exposed to high levels also have an increased risk of cancer over the long term. Low levels of exposure (such as from regulated sources and background exposures) are different. See similar questions...

Not necessarily. The effect of clouds on UV radiation is as varied as the clouds themselves. Fully overcast skies lead to reductions in surface UV irradiance. On average, scattered or broken clouds also cause reductions, but short-term or localised UV levels can be larger than for cloud-free skies if direct sunlight is also present. See similar questions...

Yes. In fact, the inaugural edition of The Journal of Cancer in 1941 reported that the increased risk of non-melanoma cancer was a trade-off for the decreased risk of internal cancer as result of moderate exposure to UVB light. According to the nation's leading expert in the field, Dr. Michael F. See similar questions...

The radiation machine program, 904-278-5730, can provide answers to questions concerning exposures from radiation machines. See similar questions...

If the dose of radiation to which people have been exposed is known, then it is possible to calculate the probability that harmful health effects would ensue. This is done using risk factors and our primary source of risk factors is the population that survived the A-bombs in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. See similar questions...

The radiation used to damage or destroy cancer cells can also damage normal cells. When this happens, you may experience side effects. However, the risk of side effects is usually outweighed by the benefits of killing cancer cells. Any side effects will be carefully monitored by the radiation oncologist. See similar questions...

The risks, problems, and side effects that can occur with radiation therapy depend on the type and the dose and the part of the body that is being treated. Radiation that involves the abdomen may cause diarrhea; radiation involving the head and neck can cause mouth sores. The most common side effects of radiation are fatigue, mouth sores, and skin problems. Before your treatments, your doctor will explain ways to help prevent or reduce potential side effects. See similar questions...

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 See similar questions...

No it is not. The amount of radiation used in today's mammography is a fraction of the amount used 20 years ago. Machines are carefully monitored and the amount of radiation is minimal, delivering less than 0.05 rads, compared to 5.0 rads per exposure in the 1960's. In other words, the typical amount of radiation delivered with a mammogram currently is equivalent to a four hour flight in a jet or the amount of radiation received during two hours of tanning in the sun. See similar questions...