International Celebration Marks Radiology’s Role in Improving Children’s Health Care

Reston, VA  — On Sunday, Nov. 8, more than 100 medical societies around the world will join the American College of Radiology (ACR), Radiological Society of North America (RSNA), and European Society of Radiology (ESR), along with patients and their advocates, in recognizing the International Day of Radiology (IDoR).  IDoR 2015 will focus on dramatic improvements in children’s health care made possible by medical imaging and radiation oncology and will include celebrations during National Radiologic Technology Week — Nov. 8–14. 

Physicians worldwide use magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), and positron emission tomography (PET) to diagnose and treat common diseases, illnesses, and injuries in children. Today, 44 percent of children diagnosed with cancer are treated with radiation therapy, helping to save countless lives. Survival for many childhood cancers and other diseases and injuries has dramatically improved over the last few decades as imaging and radiation oncology use has increased.

“Medical imaging routinely helps children avoid exploratory surgeries and hospital stays to confirm illnesses or injuries and speeds diagnosis and treatment. Radiation therapy targets cancer cells while preserving healthy cells, thus limiting adverse treatment effects and speeding recovery,” said Bibb Allen Jr., MD, FACR, chair of the American College of Radiology Board of Chancellors.  “Nov. 8 is International Day of Radiology, but radiology makes a world of difference every day,” he noted.

“As radiologists, we are committed to providing optimal care to our patients, and our youngest patients require special care. Every day, pediatric radiologists and radiation oncologists around the world work to ensure that every child’s imaging examination or procedure is appropriately ordered and safely administered,” said Ronald L. Arenson, MD, 2015 RSNA president. Patients are the primary focus of all radiologic care, which is highlighted in the RSNA’s Radiology Cares initiative. ACR and RSNA jointly sponsor RadiologyInfo.org, an important resource that explains medical imaging tests and treatments in detailed, easy-to-understand language, helping patients to understand and prepare for imaging procedures.  

IDoR 2015 also marks the 120th anniversary of the discovery of the X-ray. It is co-sponsored by the ACR, RSNA and ESR. For additional information, visit IDOR2015.com or RadiologyInfo.org.

About the American College of Radiology 
The American College of Radiology, founded in 1924, is a professional medical society dedicated to serving patients and society by empowering radiology professionals to advance the practice, science and professions of radiological care.

About the Radiological Society of North America 
The Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) is an association of more than 54,000 radiologists, radiation oncologists, medical physicists and related scientists, promoting excellence in patient care and health care delivery through education, research and technologic innovation. The Society is based in Oak Brook, Ill. (RSNA.org)