When X-rays were first developed, they seemed like magic because the doctor could see problems inside the body without doing surgery. Before long, however, physicians learned that too much X-radiation could cause illness.
Modern CT scans combine radiation with computerized analysis to provide excellent 3-D pictures of internal organs. But a single CT may require the equivalent of many X-rays. Are we being overexposed?
Guests: Walt Bogdanich became the investigations editor for the Business and Finance desk of The New York Times in January 2001. He was named an assistant editor for the paper’s newly expanded Investigative Desk in 2003.
Mr. Bogdanich has won three Pulitzer Prizes. His series of investigative articles on medical radiation, “The Radiation Boom”, was a Pulitzer Prize finalist. The photo is of Mr. Bogdanich.
Donald Frush, MD, is professor of radiology and pediatrics and chief of the division of pediatric radiology at Duke University Medical Center. He is on the Board of Chancellors of the American College of Radiology and counselor for the NCRP (National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements). Dr. Frush is a founding steering committee member of the alliance responsible for the “Image Gently” campaign and has been involved with that since its inception.
The podcast of this program will be available the Monday after the broadcast date. The show can be streamed online from this site and podcasts can be downloaded for free for six weeks after the date of broadcast. After that time has passed, digital downloads are available for $2.99. CDs may be purchased at any time after broadcast for $9.99.
