Radioactivity is and has always been part of the earth. It naturally occurs in the food, crust, floor, and walls. It can also be found in the body, including bones, muscles, and tissues.
That means the man has always been exposed to radiation, both from the earth and outside the earth. The radiation you get outside the earth is called cosmic radiation or rays. If exposed for too long, you will likely get radiation-sickness sickness.
What Radiation-Related Sickness Is
Also called ARS (acute radiation syndrome), radiation sickness is one of the most life-threatening conditions resulting from significant or prolonged exposure to ionized radiation to your body. It may result in death within several months or hours after getting exposed.
According to experts at UEW Healthcare, radiation sickness is associated with severe and sudden exposure and has syndromes appearing predictably. Usually, chronic radiation exposure is associated with medical issues like premature aging and cancer. These complications often happen for some time.
The seriousness of radiation-related illnesses is based on the length of time you are exposed and the dose. Exposure to a single and high dose over a couple of minutes or hours can be more damaging than smaller doses given for a period of months or weeks.
Screenings for Detecting Radiation-Related Sickness
Among the effective ways of detecting radiation-related illnesses early is by screening, which involves thorough testing to find illnesses in men and women with symptoms.
Screening may help you find different kinds of radiation-related illnesses early when they might have a better prognosis. As a matter of fact, screening alone is said to be one of the best ways to decrease radiation-related illnesses, including cancer.
The most common screenings for finding radiation-related illnesses include PSA (prostate-specific antigen) test and DRE (digital rectal exam).
However, it is advisable that you first consult with your doctor about the risks and benefits of each of these screenings. Your doctor will make a decision based on the following:
- Your desire of getting treatment
- Your overall life expectancy and health
- Your individual risks for cancers
What Happens After the Tests Detect a Radiation-Related Illness?
If the biopsy, as well as other tests, detect radiation-related illnesses, you might need to undergo more screenings to help your primary doctor plan proper treatment for you.
For example, your primary doctor can do several other tests so as to know whether the illness has spread and how far. Well, this information is vital for knowing the status and stage of the illness.
Why Detect Early?
Early detection of radiation-related illnesses may increase the treatment effectiveness as well as lower the rate of mortality. Screenings for radiation-related diseases can help detect signs of cancer. Some of the cancers that can be detected early may include the following:
- Colorectal cancer
- Skin cancer
- Lung cancer
- Breast cancer
- Prostate and cervical cancers
The Takeaway
As far as your body is concerned, know you are always in charge. If you note something unusual, don’t ignore it. Talk to your medical doctor for more screenings and assessments. In some cases, it may not be cancer. But if it turns out to be cancer, detecting it earlier will make a great difference.
