Thyroid Cancer-Dental X-Rays and Mammograms Insist On A Guard
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I received an email today that disturbed me immensely. It was in regards to having x-rays and mammograms done. Apparently there are women and men too that go to their dentists and they’re not being made aware of the fact that there is a flap on the apron dentists use to protect you from dangerous radiation. This flap wraps around your neck to protect your thyroid. I’d had never heard of this before.
Dr. Oz did an episode on his television show about the fastest growing cancer in women being thyroid cancer. He talked about the increase in thyroid cancer and how it could be possibly be attributed to dental x-rays and mammograms.
I've had mammograms in the past and when having one done you are supposed to ask for a thyroid guard. This too is something that I had no idea of. Should technicians not tell women about this guard?
Where You Aware of Thyroid Guards or Flaps on Aprons Used by Dentists?
See results without votingWhy are dentists and mammogram technicians not making patients aware of this?
Even though thyroid cancer, if caught, is the most treatable and curable cancer, we should be made more aware of avoiding any risks such as having x-rays and mammograms done. Anyone at any age can develop thyroid cancer.
I am writing this article today in hopes that it will alert women and men, that like I, had no idea about the flaps on dentist's aprons as well as the thyroid guard that women are supposed to ask for when having a mammogram done. Next time you go for an x-ray please ask about this and insist on wearing it, if the technician or your dentist has not made you aware.
If You Would Like To Read More About Thyroid Cancer
- Thyroid cancer symptoms
This hub provides information about thyroid cancer, what is thyroid cancer, what is the signs and symptoms of thyroid cancer, what is the epidemiology behind thyroid cancer, what is the survival rates for thyroid cancer, what is the investigation for
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Susan, I had no idea about the guard. Thanks for alerting us. Why isn't this more public? Now I can alert my friends about this.
Verrrrrrrrrrrrryyyyyyyyyyyyyy interesting! I'd never heard of or seen any such accessory on those heavy aprons. I've had plenty of dental x-rays in my 63 years, but only one mammogram; the procedure was so painful I will never have another. To a certain extent, I hold the philosophy of "Don't borrow trouble. Go looking for a problem, and you're liable to find it." The mind is a very powerful agent in keeping healthy, and people can talk themselves into illness.
In the past, I've jokingly made light of the whole thing, asking the tech why the apron, and gotten the answer, "X-ray exposure can cause sterility." to which my smart-ass remark was, "Go for it! I'm done having kids!"
But, in retrospect, I find x-rays ironic--they are, after all, a form of radiation, which is dangerous. They can cause cancer. Yet, what do we do to cancer patients? Bombard them with radiation treatments!! That does not compute for me.
This was a well-written article--voted up!
Wow! Susan - I have had many dental xrays and mammograms - I am a little peeved no one ever told me about this. Thank you for doing so - I am sharing this all over the place!!!
GREAT JOB!!
Great info Susan. I had no idea as well. I'm due for a mammogram soon and will be sure to ask for a guard!
Voted up and useful!
Lisa ~RusticLiving
Wow I'm shocked that so many people don't know about this. I'm thankful for my dentist and Dr. Oz :) Good job Susan!
Thanks for passing on this important information. I was aware of it in regards to dental X-rays, but not in regards to mammograms.
Simple preventive measures like these should routinely be done without our having to ask, but the reality is that they are not routinely done by practitioners.
Voted up, useful and interesting.
Very informative hub. I have never had my dentist use the guard when I have had x-rays in the past. Due to family history, I have to have a mammogram yearly to check for breast cancer and have never been asked to wear a guard. I have had to have a biopsy of my thyroid recently, and fortunately this was benign. This is so important and I will ensure that I ask for the guard in the future. Thank you for sharing this valuable info. Voted up and useful/interesting.
I am shocked hearing this news flash regarding radiation prevention. I have Never heard of either and It does make you wonder why they don't tell you and make it part of the appointment. Excellent information and thanks for sharing it with us.
I've never had a dentist use a thyroid guard when taking X-rays - this is rather upsetting news given the number of dental x-rays we get through our lives! Thanks for the heads-up!
Thanks for this information. Never heard of it & thyroid issues run in my family.
Hi Susan~I was warned of this last yr. However when I went to the dentist and asked for protection for my neck, I didn't get it. I'm having a mammogram next week/I hope they will have a thyroid guard. Thanks for putting this information out. It's so very important. Voted up and more!
vocalcoach
Wow! Thanks for passing on this information. I am one of those horrible people that refuse to go to the dentist or doctor unless I am close to dying. I have had a few of these x-rays in the past, but was never told about the guards. I will be sure to remember that in the future. Thanks again for sharing this important information!
Oh my goodness, I wasn't expecting so many comments on this hub. Thank you all and I'm glad that I wrote this seeing that like I, so many of you had not heard of this before.
Just Ask Susan.. this is a good share.. I notice at The University School of Dental Hygiene.. the students are taught to use the lead flap but I never actually realized if my dentist used it.. I've been going to home for years and consider him a friend I never noticed or think to notice.. now I will thanks for the heads up or the flaps down.. you're simply one of the best..:) Frank
Great post!
I went through cancer twice, with 37 and 10 radiation treatments. On top of the number of CT scans and MRIs, chest x-rays and dental x-rays, I have had enough to feel like I've walked on the sun! It is uncanny how the technicians never fail to cover themselves, yet frequently forget to cover the patient.
A Wonderful and Timely Hub Susan. I personally think Dentist take too many X-rays and I have often said "No", when I feel that it is becoming excessive. We need to speak up more and not feel intimidated. I will now also make sure that the Flap is up!
Thank you Susan..I had no idea about a neck flap. I just had a sonogram of my sinus cavity..Sometimes i think i will refuse, the radiation is bound to be harmful..Thank's for the info..
I’d never heard of a thyroid guard before, and had no idea there was a neck flap to protect you. I don’t even know if they have them in the UK, but I will be investigating for sure. Thanks for this very useful hub. Voted up.
Wow, very interesting information. I probably have seen about 4 - 6 dentists in my life and none of them has ever mentioned this! Thanks for sharing this hub. Rated up and useful.
I am much worried about the third world countries where negligence and living behind technology is the order of the day. Thanks for the information.
wow! I also had no idea about this guard. A friend of mine is dealing with thyroid cancer now. Her surgery was successful and her treatment consists of drugs she will take for the rest of her life but her prognosis is good. Could hers have been the result of X-rays? I will certainly ask my dentist about this next time my kids and myself have an appointment. Fantastic public service hub!
Thank you for this information Susan. I will definitely ask next time I have x-rays done. Kind of (sorry) pisses me off that this is not well known. I appreciate you sharing.
Lesleysherwood Level 5 Commenter 4 months ago
Thank you Susan. This is so important for us to know. When I first left school I did a stint in a dentist as a nurse, (not for long, I was never a proper dental nurse) but even I don't remember any thing like this. Shocking.... Cancer is such a sad, tiring disease so even if its the most treatable we still don't want to be exposed to anything that can trigger it.