Atomic Structure - 4.3.3 Uses of Nuclear Radiation (GCSE Physics AQA)

Uses of Nuclear Radiation

Medical Uses

• Gamma rays are used to treat cancer. Patients with cancer are often treated with a form of gamma rays, called radiotherapy. A strong beam of gamma rays is aimed at the cancerous tissue. The cancerous tissue is killed due to the radiation exposure.

• Gamma isotopes are used as tracers. A different form of gamma rays can be used as a tracer. Patients can be given an injection or a drink containing a gamma isotope. Using a special gamma camera, the isotope can be traced as it moves through the body.
• Iodine is used in the thyroid gland. A radioactive isotope of iodine can be used to check the function of the thyroid gland. The radioactive isotope will be absorbed and traced as it moves into the thyroid gland.

Evaluation of Medical Uses

• Radiotherapy can be harmful. Doctors must be careful when giving radiotherapy to patients, since the gamma rays can kill normal tissue too. Therefore, they need to strike a balance between killing the cancer cells and not destroying too many normal cells.
• Gamma rays are good for exploration. Doctors are able to use gamma rays to explore internal organs due to their weak ionising power. The main benefit of these tracers is that they allow life threatening conditions to be diagnosed, whilst not ionising too much tissue.

Perceived Risks of Radiation

• Radiotherapy has lots of side effects. Patients sometimes experience negative side effects of radiotherapy. A common side effect is radiation sickness, where patients get ill due to the radiotherapy.
• Benefits can outweigh risks. Although radiation sickness can be seen as a negative risk of radiotherapy, there are often more benefits than risks with this method of treatment. Radiotherapy can kill cancer cells and remove tumours, which is a huge benefit to patients.
• Perceived risk depends on the patient. Although there are facts and figures to outline risks and benefits of treatment, ultimately only the patient can decide how ‘risky’ a treatment will be for them. Therefore, perceived risk comes down to each individual patient.