Re: Radioactive "seed" treatment no threat to others- ISOTOPE??

[Robert A Scott <bobscottchp@juno.com>]

	Peter, I differ somewhat from some of the things you indicate should be
assumed.

On Wed, 29 Nov 2000 11:34:47 -0600 (CST) "Vernig, Peter G."
<Peter.Vernig@med.va.gov> writes:

"  I am sure many HPs and MDs have provided similar assurances to many
wives for the 20 - 25 years the I-125 Seeds have been in use.  "

	All but one of the doctors with whom I associate regarding these
implants are irrationally cautious in their instructions to patients. 
These doctors seem to put the fear of radiation boogymen into the minds
of their patients.  They advise keeping babies and infants and pregnant
women six feet or more away from the patient (or allowing them to stand
in the doorway of the room) for 6 months to a year.  Or at the very least
they are advised they must not hold an infant on their lap for six
months.  Furthermore, almost all the publications and brochures which are
available to and provided for these patients caution them from being near
or with young children and infants for six months to a year.  I have had
many patients express extreme relief when I tell them that no harm will
come to anyone from the small amount of radiation coming from their body.
 For many years I have compared the amount of radiation someone is
exposed to from these patients to that which one receives when flying in
a plane.  But from the look of surprise and relief of all these men and
their families or friends, they have not heard this information before.


> I guess I would characterize the article/report as "Much to do about
> [almost] nothing."

	I for one am delighted to be able to know of the report, because now I
can show something definitive to the doctors who are still fearful of
what they think could happen after the surgery which they perform.

Bob Scott, Esq., CHP
Roger Williams Medical Center
Providence, Rhode Island
bobscottchp@juno.com

************************************************************************
The RADSAFE Frequently Asked Questions list, archives and subscription
information can be accessed at http://www.ehs.uiuc.edu/~rad/radsafe.html