The panel hopes that doctors will not only be more aware of radiation risks, but that patients will too. Panel members want patients to know about their lifetime cumulative radiation dose, something the American College of Radiology, a group representing U.S. radiologists, has long advocated for.

"If people get a lot of the high-dose exams, that adds to the lifetime risk of cancer induction," said James Hevezi, chair of the ACR Medical Physics Commission.


RADIOLOGIC TECHNOLOGISTS

Of particular concern to the panel is the lack of uniform credentialing for radiologic technologists, the men and women who operate the expensive, complicated machines used in medical imaging and radiation treatments for cancer.

Surprisingly, licensing and accreditation requirements for radiologic technologists vary widely by state. In six states and the District of Columbia, there are no licensures, certifications or regulations for technologists whatsoever, the panel reported.

The panel hopes that a decision to adopt uniform accreditation programs will ensure that technologists only deliver appropriate levels of radiation to their patients, a move welcomed by the group that represents the technologists.

"It's great to see the President's Cancer Panel support the need for education and certification standards for radiologic technologists," American Society of Radiologic Technologists spokeswoman Christine Lung told DOTmed. "We'd hope to see this approach mirrored by Congress through the enactment of HR 3652."

The CARE Bill, HR 3652, currently wending its way through Congress, would require radiologic technologists performing medical imaging and radiotherapy services paid for by Medicare to meet federal certification standards similar to ones already in place in many states.

PRECAUTIONARY PRINCIPLE

Perhaps more controversially, the panel has suggested moving toward a more precautionary approach when dealing with potentially deadly chemicals. This is especially important because children, who are generally more vulnerable to the toxic effects of substances, are often exposed to them before they're even born.

An example is the panel's approach to bisphenol-A (BPA), a chemical used to soften plastics and found in baby bottles and food and drink can liners. Many believe BPA, thought to disrupt the endocrine system by mimicking the female sex hormone estrogen, is linked to growing rates in breast cancer, obesity and diabetes, the panel said.

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