Children, who are still growing, undergo rapid cell divisions in most of their body tissues and are therefore more sensitive to radiation than adults. The risk of radiation injury decreases with increasing age, and older people, who account for the largest patient group, are at less risk of developing cancer caused by radiation. Once it has been decided that X-rays should be taken, it is important that the procedure is performed with the lowest possible radiation dose and an image quality which is sufficient to ensure an accurate assessment. In these cases, the benefits of the procedure will outweigh the associated radiation risk. X-rays often need to be taken in order to detect any disease or assess the effects of treatment. Benefits and risksĪhead of the procedure, the doctor who referred you and the department that performs the examination will assess the benefits and risks associated with the procedure. To reassure you, it can be a good idea for the radiology department to assess the radiation dose.

If you have an X-ray examination when you are pregnant, the radiation dose will be considerably lower than the level that would lead to risk of acute injury to the foetus. Unless X-rays of your pelvis or stomach is to be taken, pregnancy will not normally contraindicate the examination. You should therefore tell the radiographer performing the examination if you are pregnant. Pregnant women and X-raysĬhildren and foetuses are more sensitive to radiation than adults. The risk of radiation injuries decreases with age, and elderly people are less likely to develop cancer caused by radiation. If you have an X-ray examination while you are pregnant, the radiation dose will be considerably lower than the level that would lead to risk of acute injury to the foetus. Children and foetuses are more sensitive to radiation than adults.

X ray radiation exposure