November 8 is World Radiography Day
World Radiography Day is celebrated on 8 November each year. The date marks the anniversary of the discovery of x-radiation by Wilhelm Roentgen in 1895.
World Radiography Day is 24 hours in the year that is dedicated to celebrating the work done by all radiographers around the world.
So what is radiography, exactly? There are two kinds: a type of radiography that diagnoses a disease or condition and the type that is therapeutic.
A diagnostic radiographer has to work with special imaging equipment that allows them to see what's going on. There are several types, most of which you'll have heard of.
The x-ray looks through your bones, cavities and any foreign objects that might have found their way into your system. A fluoroscopy takes a real-time picture of the digestive system; an MRI scan builds a 2D or 3D map of the tissue in your body; and an angiography looks into the blood vessels in your body.
The ultrasound is probably one of the most commonly known methods of radiography. Because it's how radiographers can check how a developing baby is getting on - and is used to check for soon-to-be parents that their little one's heartbeat and everything else is working as it should be.
So what about the therapeutic radiographer? Or as they more known as - radiotherapy radiographers.
Radiotherapy is used to treat patients with cancer. Over a period of time x-ray and iodine radiation doses are delivered to the patient - and has been successful on several occasions in saving lives.