Concerns
Molecular and medical imaging has brought up concerns as to whether radiation from machines is an issue. The amount of radiation going into a patient is very little, but when the patient is always tested does it effect them? The procedures also bring up the issue of whether they should cost so much.
Concerns about Molecular and Medical Imaging
The main concern of molecular and medical imaging is the safety of the procedures. Due to procedures being non-invasive, to identify the problems in the body the use of radioactive material is needed. The patient only recieves a small amount of radioactive material, enough to provide information. The amount of radiation given off from the procedures can be compared to the amount of radiation given off during x-ray examinations. There is questioning of whether the radiation from the diagnostic tests causes harm to the patient. Scientists and researchers conclude that the risk to a patient is considerably low, and the benefits outweight the low risks of the procedure.
The benefit of Molecular and Medical Imaging
Molecular and medical imaging is a safe and non-invasive procedure. It is highly recommended by doctors and scientist due to the low risks of the procedure. The benefits of the procedure are that it is safe, painless and it cost-effective. Molecular and medical imaging is effective in providing information that may not be obtainable unless a more risky diagnostic test is done. Nuclear medical imaging procedures identify abnormalities very early in the progression of a disease long before some medical problems are apparent with other diagnostic tests. This early detection allows a disease to be treated early in its course when there may be a better prognosis.