The Tribune

By Dr Amaresh Hombal

Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen, a German physicist, accidentally discovered X-rays while working with a cathode-ray tube in his laboratory on November 8, 1895.

The discovery was groundbreaking; it was the first time that people were able to see the inside of the human body without the need for surgery. As a result of his discovery, Roentgen was honoured with the first Nobel Prize in Physics in 1901.

This laid the foundation for the new medical discipline of radiology. The first clinical use of X-rays was in 1896 and they were first used to treat cancer in 1903. Radiology now plays an integral part in healthcare by providing the diagnosis of disease or injury. It has expanded from conventional X-rays to include other modalities like ultrasound, CT scan, MRI and nuclear medicine.

To mark the anniversary of the discovery, November 8 is celebrated worldwide as World Radiography Day. Also, the American society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT) is celebrating the week of November 4-10 as National Radiologic Technology week.

On the World Radiography Day, radiographers' societies/associations and radiology departments worldwide make efforts to raise public awareness about radiographic imaging and therapy, which play a very important role in the diagnosis and the treatment of disease.

Some of the activities include organising exhibitions, presentations and various public events for health professionals, students and the public, raising awareness of the achievement in diagnostic imaging in healthcare. They also stress the importance of keeping the radiation dose at the minimum during the imaging studies.

A team of well-trained radiologists, radiological technologists, medical physicists and biomedical engineers is vital to the overall quality of radiology services offered by a hospital/clinic as they provide high quality diagnostic images and correctly interpreting them.

Here in the Bahamas, the Imaging Centre, located in the Medical Pavilion, 72 Collins Avenue, provides prompt, professional and personal services, treating each referral as an imaging consultation.