Regular exposure to radiation fuels cancer- Radiologist

HEALTH experts have warned over regular exposure to radiation, mostly to people who prefer to go for X-rays without medics’ advice, saying in some cases it leads to cancer, on top of other health complications.

In particular, a Radiologist  Dr Tausi Mashaka at Sekou Toure Mwanza Regional Referral Hospital told the ‘Daily News’ on Sunday the test should only be taken, only when necessary adding: “We keep on educating and warning our patients who have been forcing the tests here. People should know that having a single X-ray test is equal to exposure on sunrays three days consecutively.

“Too much radiation in the human body might cause the burn of blood cells, hence; leads to health complications, mostly skin cancer.

Other types of cancers can also develop according to how the dead blood cells spread in a human body.”

She further noted that regular exposure to radiation might also cause blood cells ‘misbehaviour’; thus, lead to more health complications like limited breathing, lack or shortage of the oxygen in the brain, fatigue as well as quick heartbeats.

“We’ve intensified public education to let people know the radiation impacts. We also conduct deep interrogation with patients to identify their real needs,” she stressed.

To clear fears among those suffering from Tuberculosis, Pneumonia, Strokes and fractures and would like to go for X-Rays, she noted that they are well covered by protective gears during the testing process.

She further said that they are prevented to the extent that no radiation would penetrate into their body parts.

In her speech, she pointed out that no pregnant woman should be allowed to have radiation tests, saying: “This is to protect the baby in the womb from possible impacts, including body organs’ malformations.”

Another radiologist, Dr Theresia Mabula, stressed that the department stresses on public education, since some patients do run away from radiology machines, mostly MRA tests, fearing the process.

“Let people stop fearing as the test causes no pain. The process takes between five and 30 minutes and the machine operator must always be close to the patient,” she said.

According to her, the 30 minutes are for those who should be injected before entering the machine, to let the medicine go straight to where the problem is.

Again, she added, injection is only for those suffering from among others, swellings as well as problems in the digestive system and blood vessels.