Radiation Phobia Causes more Harm than Good

Radiation Phobia Causes more Harm than Good

The fear of being exposed to radiation is inhibiting Australians from being objective about the impact of radiation, according to Professor Pamela Sykes from the Flinders Centre for Innovation in Cancer, Flinders University.

Speaking at the 11th Pathology Update Conference, an annual event presented by the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia (RCPA), Prof. Sykes explains that the hype around radiation can be misleading and that there is a possibility that it may even be associated with potential health benefits.

Prof. Sykes says radiation is everywhere and that we have evolved on a planet with radiation.
'We are exposed to radiation from the sun, the air we breathe, from plants and the rocks on the ground to the fruit we eat," says Prof. Sykes.

'While over exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun causes skin cancer, which can be deadly, too little exposure to radiation triggers Vitamin D deficiency, which can cause rickets or osteoporosis or be associated with diabetes, heart disease or depression.

'We can medically prove that too much and too little radiation is unhealthy. However, we are dependent on radiation and so it is important to be objective when managing how much radiation we are being exposed to.

'We are treading into uncharted territory. However, there is some evidence that low doses of radiation may even be protecting you from cancer and other diseases," Prof. Sykes says.

Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia: The RCPA is the leading organisation representing pathologists in Australasia. Its mission is to train and support pathologists and to improve the use of pathology testing to achieve better healthcare.
For more information please visit: www.rcpa.edu.au/Publications