Hi , I had an ablation procedure on my heart in 2005 as I understand it to cauterize 2 additional pathways which treated the SVT I was getting. It was quite a lengthy procedure because the surgeon had to poke around to track down the little devils! I was told that a person should only have at most 2 of those procedures in a lifetime due to the radiation levels. And whilst I was undiagnosed with PMR I had a chest Xray and Xrays on my hip and knees.
I have just recieved an invitation to have a breast Xray next week and will be due to have a dental check up where I will be offered an Xray . I have always had the the breast checks but I am just thinking about it. I know its up to the individual to make the decision but any thoughts would be appreciated. Thank you.
PS When I asked my usually helpful but sometimes moody rheumatologist about radiation levels he said 'well you have to die of something'. I know we all have to but I would rather make it later than sooner! 😊
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Animalover65
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If you were to need an ablation again it wouldn't be a problem - they rarely use the radioablation technique these days, using cryotherapy (freezing) or there is another even newer technique.
The level of radiation you receive during mammography is very low in comparison to the level you are exposed to in daily living, "On average, the total radiation dose for a typical mammogram with two views of each breast is about 0.4 millisieverts, or mSv. (A mSv is a measure of radiation dose). To put in perspective, Americans are normally exposed to 3 mSv of radiation each year just from their natural surroundings."
Chest x-rays are even less: "A single chest x-ray exposes the patient to about 0.1 mSv. This is about the same amount of radiation people are exposed to naturally over the course of about 10 days."
compares the dose from various procedures you are likely to have had - chest, hip, dental and so on. even if you had all in one year, it is still only about the same as the natural background dose anywhere - and far less than if you were to live in Aberdeen!
If you are a frequent flyer, you are exposed to a lot more radiation than you will have got from any of those procedures - and even someone flying from New York to Los Angeles on business every few weeks will still acquire far less exposure than is dangerous, as you can see from this lovely graphic:
which at the bottom shows the accumulated doses for flight crews and people who work in the industries where radiation exposure is high.
My husband had radiotherapy in his early 40s and again in his mid-60s for different cancers. That wasn't what he died from - it was the long term effects of the surgery that had been required in his 40s.
Your radiation exposure is not going to be anywhere near even a couple of flights from NY to Tokyo over the North Pole so go ahead and have all those procedures for which the benefits far outweigh any possible risks.
I always fear its the one i dont bother with that i'll be sorry for!! I recently was called for smear and also a mammogram. After a horrible year i was tempted not to bother but i did go, but now have been called back for further follow up breast tests!! Not very nice or helpful comment from your rheumy though! Good luck hope tests are ok.
I have got the measure of my rheumy , think he might have small man syndrome or something.😂Last time I saw him he had the hump as he had got a lurgh, thankfully did not pass it to me.
I give as good as I get - he said I would have a final follow up appt on the phone. I said he seemed to be in a not very good mood the last time we spoke on the phone early in the morning and could we have a later time. So he has booked it for later.😊
I think the breast tests can show up small insignificant lumps - something showed up for me a few years ago and I got a test with a small painless needle and it was all clear. Good luck with your follow up, and perhaps let us know how you get on.🌺👍
I asked about that when invited me for a mammogram. they were positive that the radiation received was very low. Also, incidentally, a chest XR isn't that much either. Nothing like, say a PET scan
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