Combating Radiophobia: LDRT is a Safe Solution
Radiotherapy is a common treatment modality for a variety of conditions. Many people think of radiation within the context of cancer treatment, but there are a number of other applications in which radiation is useful and effective. In particular, there is growing evidence around the efficacy of low-dose radiotherapy for pain management when inflammatory conditions are present.
Why LDRT?
Why are clinicians using low-dose radiotherapy to treat inflammatory conditions? A significantly smaller dose of radiation can reduce inflammation and alleviate pain by decreasing the activity of inflammatory cells and reducing the production of inflammatory cytokines. This reduction in inflammation can lead to decreased pain and improved joint function.
Benefits of LDRT
LDRT can be extremely effective without the side effects associated with other treatment modalities. The side effects of this low risk, non-invasive treatment are typically minimal. The quality of life improvement that comes with non-invasive, effective pain relief makes LDRT a valid treatment modality for benign conditions.
Why Patients Hesitate: Radiophobia
Worldwide, LDRT has effectively treated non-cancer conditions for over 100 years. However, despite this fact, there is a public hesitation around the use of ionizing radiation. This hesitation is at the heart of what prevents LDRT from becoming a mainstream offering. This radiophobia is a psychological concept, based on the cultural associations patients have with radiation exposure. There is a noted mismatch between the actual and perceived health impacts of ionizing radiation.
A radiophobic public generally views ionizing radiation in any form and dose as dangerous and/or bad for health. The reality is that radiophobia greatly overestimates the risks associated with the use of radiation in clinical settings. In fact, the use of radiation leads to better patient outcomes.
How Radiophobia Has Evolved
According to the Journal of Radiological Protection, radiation phobia can be traced back to the early twentieth century. Concerns at that time were limited to radio waves. In the late 1950s, however, this phobia grew with ionizing radiation technology.
Radiophobia has evolved over time with the development of new technologies. The growth in use of low-dose radiotherapy has magnified its cultural perception, despite the fact that scientific evidence shows very low impacts from exposure to ionizing radiation at or below background levels, notes the Journal of Radiological Protection.
Why Does Radiophobia Matter?
Because of persistent radiophobia and an ongoing debate around the impacts of low-dose radiotherapy, patients may hesitate to use this treatment modality. The scientific community’s failure to contextualize LDRT appropriately as a low risk treatment option will keep real progress and development of low-dose treatment alternatives from happening. American Benign Radiotherapy is committed to providing real, valuable information about LDRT and helping to grow it as a viable treatment alternative for those suffering from inflammatory pain.
Learn More About LDRT
Despite persistent radiophobia, many in the clinical community are committed to expanding LDRT treatment options for benign conditions. LDRT is a non-invasive, low-risk alternative for those who have not found relief with conventional treatments or are not suitable candidates for surgery. If you believe you might benefit from LDRT, contact American Benign Radiotherapy for more details.