Using Radiation in Medicine

• What is the focus of today's video?

  Uses of radiation in medicine
• What is radiotherapy used for?

  To treat cancer
• What are medical tracers used for?

  To detect problems inside the body
• What can ionizing radiation do to cells?

  Damage cells by ionizing atoms and molecules
• What is the major problem caused by ionizing radiation?

  It can mutate our DNA
• What happens if cells receive a large enough dose of radiation?

  They can be killed off completely
• What is radiation sickness?

  Illness from large doses of radiation
• What are the symptoms of radiation sickness?

  Vomiting, tiredness, and hair loss
• How can doctors use radiation beneficially?

  To destroy unwanted cells like cancer cells
• What is the process called that uses radiation to treat cancer?

  Radiotherapy
• What are the two main ways to deliver radiation in radiotherapy?

  Externally or internally
• What type of radiation do external sources typically emit?

  Gamma rays
• How is radiation targeted in external radiotherapy?

  From different angles at the cancer site
• What type of radiation is usually used in internal radiotherapy?

  Beta radiation
• Why is beta radiation used internally?

  It is more damaging than gamma rays
• What is a side effect of radiotherapy?

  Damage to healthy cells
• How do medical tracers work?

  By tracking radioactive isotopes in the body
• How can radioactive isotopes be introduced into the body?

  By injection or swallowing
• What is the purpose of tracking radiation emitted by isotopes?

  To check if organs are working properly
• What isotope is commonly used to check thyroid function?

  Iodine-131
• Why do we use gamma rays for medical tracers?

  They are less harmful than alpha or beta
• What is the ideal half-life for isotopes used in medical tracers?

  As short as possible
• Why is it important to minimize radiation risk in medical tracers?

  To reduce harm while diagnosing diseases
• What is the benefit of radiotherapy in cancer treatment?

  It can save a person's life
• Why might some people choose not to have radiotherapy?

  If it only extends life briefly
• What should we consider when using radiation in medicine?

  Weighing risks against benefits
• What are the key points about radiotherapy?

  • Used to treat cancer
  • Can be delivered externally or internally
  • External uses gamma rays
  • Internal uses beta radiation
  • Side effects include damage to healthy cells
• What are the key points about medical tracers?

  • Used to detect problems inside the body
  • Introduced by injection or swallowing
  • Track movement of isotopes
  • Commonly use gamma rays
  • Short half-life is preferred