A radiographer is a medical professional who is trained to operate equipment that detects and produces radiation. There are two types of radiographers: diagnostic and therapeutic.
Diagnostic radiographers use x-rays and body scans to take images of the inside of the body. These images help doctors locate the root of an illness, injury, or disease; monitor changes within the body; and determine proper treatment.
Therapeutic radiographers use radiation to help heal the human body. Most people recognize this type of treatment when they think of cancer patients. The radiographer delivers a precise does of radiation to the cancer cells while minimizing the effect the radiation has on the surrounding body tissues. The correct dose of radiation helps kill the cancer cells and gives the cancer patient a chance to live a cancer-free life.
Radiographers also use two types of radiation: ionizing and non-ionizing.
Ionizing radiation is used during x-rays and therapeutic treatments. It basically alters the atoms in a body by removing electrons and when used in high dosages, damages living cells.
Non-ionizing radiation is used during ultrasounds. It basically uses electromagnetic radiation which doesn’t alter, change, or damage living cells.
To learn more about the differences between ionizing and non-ionizing radiation, both of which are used by medical radiographers, visit the United States Environmental Protection Agency website.
Come back on Wednesday as we finish up our discussion on Radiographers.
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