Safety issues: whole-body airport scanners
January 18, 2010
On January, the 8th, an article appeared in Diagnostic Imaging, which analyzes the safety issues concerning whole-body airport scanners. Since the attempted attack inside an airplane flying from Amsterdam to Detroit last December, most airports are planning to install whole-body scanners to scan passengers. However, not much is really known about the health risks.
You can read more about the research conducted so far, in the following two articles:
- http://abcnews.go.com/Health/CancerPreventionAndTreatment/experts-radiation-fears-full-body-scans-unfounded/story?id=9476542&page=1
- http://arxiv.org/abs/0910.5294
MRI issues: pacemakers
January 12, 2010
A recent study by FDA researchers has shown the risks of MR scanning patients with pacemakers. This is normally contraindicated, but some physicians condone scanning certain patients. FDA researchers found that certain cardiac pacemakers may inadequately stimulate a patient’s heart while undergoing an MRI scan. For a full report, see:
http://www.biomedical-engineering-online.com/content/8/1/39
Cancer mortality in Europe is declining…
January 8, 2010
In the European Union, mortality rates for all cancers fell by 10% in men and 8% in women. Declines were more significant throughout Europe in populations ages 35 to 44, at 25% for men and 20% for women, according to a report published online in the Annals of Oncology (November 30, 2009).
The researchers attributed adoption of standard therapeutic protocols to reducing mortality from Hodgkin’s lymphomas, leukemias, and testicular cancers. They also believe that advancements in integrated treatments have reduced breast, colorectal, ovarian, and prostate cancer mortality.
