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Medical radiation sources are used deliberately in the healthcare of patients and are designed for use in a controlled manner. There obviously are some adverse health risks associated with the use of radiation in medicine <ref name="Pub105"/>, with higher amounts of radiation being associated with higher risks. The undisputed health benefits of [[Application_of_ionising_radiation_in_healthcare_(demo)#Diagnostic_Radiology|diagnostic radiology]]<ref name="Pub087">[[ICRP Publication 87]] Managing Patient Dose in Computed Tomography. Ann. ICRP 30(4), 2000.</ref><ref name="Pub102">[[ICRP Publication 102]] Managing Patient Dose in Multi-Detector Computed Tomography (MDCT). Ann. ICRP 37(1), 2007.</ref><ref name="Pub121">[[ICRP Publication 121]] Radiological Protection in Paediatric Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology. Ann. ICRP 42(2), 2013.</ref> using x-ray or nuclear medicine<ref name="Pub128">[[ICRP Publication 128]] Radiation Dose to Patients from Radiopharmaceuticals A Compendium of Current Information Related to Frequently Used Substances. Ann. ICRP 44(2S), 2015.</ref> may be accompanied by a generally very small risk (probability) of deleterious effects, while in radiation therapy<ref name="Pub127">[[ICRP Publication 127]] Radiological Protection in Ion Beam Radiotherapy. Ann. ICRP 43(4), 2013.</ref><ref name="Pub098">[[ICRP Publication 98]] Radiation Safety Aspects of Brachytherapy for Prostate Cancer using Permanently Implanted Sources. Ann. ICRP 35(3), 2005.</ref><ref name="Pub097">[[ICRP Publication 97]] Prevention of High-dose-rate Brachytherapy Accidents. Ann. ICRP 35(2), 2005.</ref><ref name="Pub086">[[ICRP Publication 86]] Prevention of Accidents to Patients Undergoing Radiation Therapy. Ann. ICRP 30(3), 2000.</ref> such risk can be much higher as large amounts of radiation are required.

Medical exposures during pregnancy require specific consideration due to the radiation sensitivity of the developing embryo/fetus. Before any exposure using ionising radiation, it is important to determine whether a female patient is, or could be, pregnant. Prenatal doses from most correctly performed diagnostic procedures present no measurably increased risk of prenatal death, developmental damage including malformation, or impairment of mental development over the background incidence of these entities. The benefits to the mother of obtaining important diagnostic information for her treatment is very likely to outweigh this risk. However, higher doses, such as those involved in therapeutic procedures, have the potential to result in developmental harm or cancer induction in unborn babies. The pregnant patient has a right to know the magnitude and type of potential radiation effects that may result from in-utero exposure. Detailed discussions with her physician are highly encouraged. Pregnant patients should note that the incidences of fetal anomalies, with or without routine medical imaging, are similar to baseline background event rates. These include a 15% rate of spontaneous abortion, a 4–10% incidence of genetic abnormalities, a 4% risk of intrauterine growth retardation, and a 2–4% incidence of major malformation <ref name="Pub084">[[ICRP Publication 84]] Pregnancy and Medical Radiation. Ann. ICRP 30(1), 2000.</ref><ref>Exposure of the Pregnant Patient to Diagnostic Radiations—A Guide to Medical Management. 2nd Edition, by Louis K. Wagner, Richard G. Lester, and Luis R. Saldana[https://aapm.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1118/1.598336] ; [[ICRP Publication 84]]). </ref>