Ethical Issues Of X-rays

This is an X-ray of a patient who could get cancer

            X-rays are the most commonly used medical imaging because they are quick and painless. Besides the perks and benefits of using X-rays to examine the inner workings of a person or object, there are also many ethical issues. Being the most used form of medical imaging, X-rays would be thought to be completely safe because of all the people being exposed to it. This is incorrect because there are many possible risk factors when using X-rays. The biggest threat is radiation because X-rays use high energy radiation to penetrate materials which in turn create an image that can be viewed. The high levels of radiation are dangerous because if overexposure occurs, mutations can develop in the DNA and cells. With the creation of these mutations there is a possibility that they may become cancerous and create tumours. For example, when taking an X-ray to create a radiograph to examine problems in the cardiovascular or respiratory system, the X-ray must be used on the majority of the body. By doing this, there is a risk that parts of the body that are not protected against the radiation may be affected. Scientists and doctors try to counteract this potential radiation exposure by covering their targets with a protective lead apron because the X-rays cannot pass through lead. But the ethical issue remains, is it efficient to test patients trying to locate any irregularities within themselves with a technique that could ultimately give them cancer? Another issue that is ravaging patients who use X-rays as their form of medical imaging is inaccurate diagnosis. Inaccurate diagnosis occurs when a doctor examines a radiograph incorrectly and diagnoses the patient with false conditions. This can lead to a patient having to be a part of potentially dangerous tests which are unnecessary and could cause more harm. For example, a doctor could take an X-ray but read the radiograph wrong and believe that the patient has cancer. This would result in the inaccurate diagnosis of the patient and the possibility that the patient may undergo treatments such as Chemotherapy for a condition that they do not have. This is an ethical issue because is it truly safe to presume that the X-ray is always right or that the radiograph is observed properly? In conclusion, despite the few ethical issues and problems that may occur with X-rays, there are considerably more benefits to using X-rays. Therefore, the use of X-rays should be continued as they have helped save millions of lives and diagnose billions of people. The future of X-rays can be easily expanded and could result in unimaginable benefits.

This is a patient who has undergone Chemotherapy