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Molecular Nuclear Medicine pp 747–761Cite as

Biological Effects of Low Doses of Ionizing Radiation: Damage versus Protection

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Abstract

Medical applications of ionizing radiation frequently provoke the question of risk that may be associated with a planned radiological or nuclear medical procedure. In fact, the apprehension about a potential detriment following exposure to ionizing radiation in clinical diagnosis or therapy is often overwhelming to the patient. The consequence is not rarely a flat refusal of treatment. The reason for the relatively widely spread radiation phobia in the general public is partly rooted in the radiation-protection regulations and their interpretation by non-specialists, including the news media. The problem also often stems from the lack of knowledge by professionals who do not have the proper training in the biological effects of ionizing radiation. Patients need to be properly informed and instructed in order both to alleviate personal apprehension and fear, and to adhere to professional standards that demand the best possible treatment of the patient with minimization of the risk-benefit ratio. It thus appears fitting to treat the question of biological and health effects of low doses of ionizing radiation in the context of this book.

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Authors
  1. Ludwig E. Feinendegen
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Wannental 45, 88131, Lindau, Germany

    Ludwig E. Feinendegen M.D. (Professor Emeritus Nuclear Medicine) (Professor Emeritus Nuclear Medicine)

  2. Radiology and Medicine SUNY, Stonybrook, USA

    Walton W. Shreeve M.D., Ph.D. (Professor Emeritus) (Professor Emeritus)

  3. Medical Department Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY, 11973, USA

    Walton W. Shreeve M.D., Ph.D. (Professor Emeritus) (Professor Emeritus)

  4. National Institutes of Health/Clinical Center, Bldg. 10, Rm 1C401 10 Center Drive, MSC 1180, Bethesda, MD, 20892-1180, USA

    William C. Eckelman Ph. D. (Chief PET Department) (Chief PET Department)

  5. Department of Nuclear Medicine, Sung-Ae General Hospital, Shingil-1-Dong, Youngdungpo-Gu, Seoul, 121-200, Korea

    Yong-Whee Bahk M.D., Ph.D. (Professor Emeritus (CUK) and Director) (Professor Emeritus (CUK) and Director)

  6. Nuclear Medicine and Radiation Health Sciences, The Johns Hopkins University School of Hygiene and Public Health, 615 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD, 21205-2179, USA

    Henry N. Wagner Jr. M. D.

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Feinendegen, L.E. (2003). Biological Effects of Low Doses of Ionizing Radiation: Damage versus Protection. In: Feinendegen, L.E., Shreeve, W.W., Eckelman, W.C., Bahk, YW., Wagner, H.N. (eds) Molecular Nuclear Medicine. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-55539-8_33

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