Using radiation in medicine

• What is the main focus of today's video?

  The uses of radiation in medicine, specifically radiotherapy and medical tracers.
• What is radiotherapy used for?

  To treat cancer.
• How can medical tracers help in medicine?

  They can help detect problems inside the body.
• What can ionizing radiation do to our cells?

  It can damage cells by ionizing the atoms and molecules within them.
• What is the major problem caused by ionizing radiation?

  It can mutate our DNA, which can occasionally lead to cancer.
• What happens if cells receive a large enough dose of radiation?

  They can be killed off completely.
• What is radiation sickness and what are its symptoms?

  It occurs from large doses of radiation and can lead to vomiting, tiredness, and hair loss.
• How can doctors use radiation beneficially?

  They can use it to destroy particular cells, like cancer cells.
• What are the two main ways to deliver radiation in radiotherapy?

  Externally or internally.
• How do external sources of radiation work in radiotherapy?

  They emit gamma rays targeted at the cancer site from different angles.
• What is the internal method of delivering radiation in radiotherapy?

  Placing the radioactive source inside the body, either inside or next to the cancer.
• What type of radiation is usually used in the internal method of radiotherapy?

  Beta radiation.
• Why is beta radiation used in the internal method of radiotherapy?

  Because it is more damaging than gamma rays but cannot pass as far through the body.
• What are the side effects of radiotherapy?

  Other healthy cells in the body can also get damaged or killed.
• How do medical tracers work?

  They track the movement of radioactive isotopes inside the body by monitoring the radiation they emit.
• How can radioactive isotopes be introduced into the body for medical tracers?

  By injecting them or having the person swallow them.
• What is the purpose of using iodine-123 in medical tracers?

  To check if the thyroid gland is absorbing it properly.
• Why do we tend to use gamma rays for medical tracers?

  Because they are less harmful than alpha or beta radiation.
• What is the importance of using isotopes with a short half-life in medical tracers?

  So they only emit radiation for a short period while measurements are taken.
• What must be weighed when using radiation in medicine?

  The risks against the benefits.
• Why is using medical tracers generally considered worth the risk?

  Because they can help diagnose diseases.
• What is the rationale behind minimizing the risk when using medical tracers?

  To give a low dose with a short half-life.
• Why is radiotherapy considered worth the side effects?

  Because it can literally save a person's life.
• Why might some people choose not to have radiotherapy?

  Particularly if it will only extend their life by a short period rather than treating it completely.
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of using radiation in medicine?

  Strengths:

  • Can treat cancer effectively through radiotherapy.
  • Medical tracers can diagnose diseases accurately.

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • Can cause radiation sickness and damage healthy cells.
  • Risks must be weighed against benefits.