Monday, April 28, 2014

Why I'm Afraid of X-Rays

Diagnostic X-rays (primarily from CT scans due to the large dose used) increase the risk of developmental problems and cancer in those exposed. X rays are classified as a carcinogen by both the World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer and the U.S. government. It is estimated that 0.4% of current cancers in the United States are due to computed tomography (CT scans) performed in the past and that this may increase to as high as 1.5-2% with 2007 rates of CT usage.

Experimental and epidemiological data currently do not support the proposition that there is a threshold dose of radiation below which there is no increased risk of cancer. However, this is under increasing doubt. It is estimated that the additional radiation will increase a person's cumulative risk of getting cancer by age 75 by 0.6–1.8%.
-From Wikipedia



X-rays freak me out. The way the dentist puts that big heavy lead vest on you, shoves this big cannon thing next to your head, and then LEAVES THE FUCKING ROOM - it's like they're doing some kind of weird gamma bomb radiation experiment or something that I don't want any goddamn part of.  It's like they're worried one of us is going to walk out of the room like a giant green mutant monster or something.

When I was a kid I loved the TV show My Secret Identity with Jerry O'Connell and Derek McGrath. Apparently it was a Canadian produced show so I don't know how available it was in the US, but the premise was that this kid who loved comic books (O'Connell) accidentally gains super powers when shot by a his scientist neighbour's (McGrath) experimental ray-gun-thingie. He goes on to use his powers to help people and get out of everyday teenager problems, but of course he has to hide his abilities from his friends and family. I thought the show was totally badass, but in reality it was pretty dumb and cheesy. Anyway, my point is that in a later season episode the kid went to the dentist and was given x-rays, only to discover that the x-rays temporarily REMOVED his powers - they were like his kryptonite! That of course only further deepened my distrust for these mysterious, invisible other-dimensional beams of death and destruction.

So... yeah. "X" was a pretty lame one. But we're getting close to the end and I'm running out of steam.

8 comments:

Tony Laplume said...

Nah, it was a pretty good one. I never saw My Secret Identity, but I know what it's like to like something and discover years later it was probably best to leave it to that particular period of your life. Although on the flipside it's hugely rewarding to find you still love something that you enjoyed as a kid.

Sean said...

I vaguely remember My Secret Identity... There was this show about time travelers called Voyagers that me and my brother loved. Which is worse, X rays or GAMMA RAYS??

C.D. Gallant-King said...

Yeah, Transformers & GI Joe were pretty disappointing when I went back to it years later, but Labyrinth, The Princess Bride, The Muppets and WKRP in Cincinnati still hold up pretty well, so I'm glad I wasn't a total idiot as a kid. :-)

Thanks for stopping by!

C.D. Gallant-King said...

Don't recall Voyagers, but a show I've been trying to remember for a long time is one about a young boy who goes on an adventure to a fantasy island to... wake a sleeping giant, I believe? Pretty sure the name was the "something" Island, but I can't find it for the life of me. There were puppets involved. I remember the last(?) episodes where he meets the "giant," which was actually a guy in a giant blue muppet head. I think the giant's name was Ego. It was probably produced by the CBC here in Canada in the late 80s/early 90s, so that may not help most people. It's tucked into the same corner of my brain as The Jellybean Odyssey, a similar show, also made here in Canada (apparently a young Ryan Reynolds was in it).

Anyway, I'm rambling. X-rays are worse. At least Gamma rays MIGHT give you super powers, whereas X-rays only take them away...

Kathe W. said...

I agree with this! Cheers and have an eXcellent day!
http://katheworsley.blogspot.com/2014/04/a-to-z-2014-challenge-x-is-for-dos-equis_28.html

Birgit said...

Ahh the X-ray or why I may glow green when the lights are off. It's always funny to me that you are x-rayed, even for teeth and they place this big lead bib on you as they run out of the room. I always close my eyes thinking this will be better but probably not. I watched the show and it was pretty good actually. Now what about X-Ray vision?

C.D. Gallant-King said...

You agree that X-rays are freaky or that this was a lame entry? It's cool either way. I can't argue with you.

C.D. Gallant-King said...

Ah, X-ray vision, the dream of pubescent boys everywhere. I actually hadn't thought of that in years, though now in my callous and cynical adulthood I imagine x-ray vision would only allow me to see intestines and spleens and such. Not very sexy at all...

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