Drastic measures needed to help patients seeking radiation

This Friday, many people representing the medical radiation profession told a House subcommittee that there needs to be drastic measure taken to help patients seeking radiation.

They called for a standardization in the way medical radiation was performed. One of the biggest issue was that there were no licensing requirements in many States for companies that performed medical radiation. This was a key point made by Frank Pallone, Jr., a democrat from New Jersey.

There was also a very emotional testimony by James Parks, whose son died from a radiation overdose in NYC. Mr. Parks told the House subcommittee how his son, Scott, died from a regular radiation therapy for tongue cancer. He believes that his son’s death should signify new changes in radiation therapy laws and practices.

Most witnesses agreed, however, that radiation therapy overall was effective and relatively safe. They did question the methods of implementing new technologies. Some agreed that these new sophisticated technology warranted better trained personnel to handle it safely.

The biggest danger in radiation therapy, as agreed by most of the witnesses, was over radiation. The representatives asked the House to make it mandatory for all radiological units to be accredited. Currently, only 20% of such units are accredited. Everyone hopes this hearing will bring about better changes and make radiation therapy much safer for the patients.