[ RadSafe ] Re: Effect of Ionizing Radiation Formula - must include benefit

[John Jacobus]

Dr. Long,
  Again you cite studies that are discredited.  Do you ever read anything new on the subject?  If your mean that HPs decrease cancer by ensuring radiation exposure is ALARA (as low as reasonably achievble), yes, I guess we do.  Controlling risk is what people in safety professions are supposed to do.
   
  I assume that your insulting remake that "am glad JJ never had direct responsibility for anyone's life" was said in the heat of some anger.  Every day I drive a car, I am responsible for those in my car and other cars.  I certainly was responsible for the care of my wife and children.  Many of us choose professions where we think we benefit society.  I am glad that I do what I do, and not some self-centered physicians that I have met.
   
  I try to not get my medical knowledge for ads on TV.  
   
  

howard long <hflong at pacbell.net> wrote:
          Are health physicists ONLY protectors from harm, or, like physicians,
  can HPs improve health with supplemental radiation?
   
  I contend HPs can and will decrease cancer (not just prevent increase),
  improve healing (I'm looking at Jerry Cuttler's "Disinfecting Wounds With Radiation"),
  and decrease premature deaths (although likely not as much as the water, food 
  and waste engineers who belie Malthus).
   
  Positive effects must be in any formula describing the effects of radiation.
  Cameron demonstrated how the one-tailed test (showing only harm and not benefit
  in the Nuclear Shipyard Worker Study), showed only the lack of harm. 
  It failed to show amazing reduction of cancer and low total mortality rate (to 0.76) 
  with exposure to supplemental radiation of 0.5 rem (healthy worker effect well controlled).
  That's about what I get from sitting on the thoriated welding rods ~3 hours/d.
  Howard Long
   
  PS I have done appendectomies and am glad JJ never had direct responsibility for anyone's life.
  Every patient is different and not entirely predictable. Hormesis amd low dose treatment  
  also may be as much art as science, when applied to variable individuals.  
   
  PPS LACK of excercise has been proven to aggravate many degenerative diseases.
  Physiotherapists would love to take on  JJ.
  Athletic trainers might convince even JJ of positive effects of exercise.
   Just look at the TV ads!  

  ----- Original Message ----
From: John Jacobus <crispy_bird at yahoo.com>
To: howard long <hflong at pacbell.net>; Otto G. Raabe <ograabe at ucdavis.edu>; radsafe at radlab.nl
Sent: Sunday, January 27, 2008 7:00:44 PM
Subject: Re: [ RadSafe ] Excess relative risk

  Dr. Long,
  There are many types of risk, but generally, you start with a baseline of health.  It has never been shown that exercise extends your life.  Usually one diets, looses weight and takes aspirin to try to "counteract" diseases and medical conditions that many people have brought upon themselves, like over-eating, smoking, etc.  I am sure you have seen patients in your practice who smoke, over-eat, etc. and are in good health. 
   
  As for siting on welding rods, I doubt that you will find that in any medical book or article.  Has it improved your health, or is it your belief that it does?
   
  I am not sure what type of medicine you practice, but I doubt any other physician would perform an appendectomy without making a diagnosis.  

howard long <hflong at pacbell.net> wrote:
     




+++++++++++++++++++
"If history teaches any lesson it is that no nation has an inherent right to greatness.  Greatness has to be earned and continually re-earned."
- Norman Augustine, Chairman of the National Academies Committee 

-- John
John Jacobus, MS
Certified Health Physicist
e-mail:  crispy_bird at yahoo.com
       
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