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Information for patients, family members, carers and the public

No change in size, 12:40, 20 September 2019
For Patients
==For Patients==
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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.
[[file:RiskVsBenefit.jpg|350px|thumb|The lower the risk, the greater the benefit and vice versa]]
Experience has provided ample evidence that reasonable selection of the conditions under which ionising radiation is being used in medicine can lead to health benefits substantially outweighing the estimated possible deleterious effects.
[[file:RiskVsBenefit.jpg|350px|thumb|The lower the risk, the greater the benefit and vice versa]]