The Rising Rays of World Radiology Day

Every year World Radiology Day is marked to honor the discovery of the technology of X-Ray. Little do most of us know that there are many folds unknown to the field of Radiology. This day is the celebration and exploration of various facets of Radiology, with a promise to be always innovative and useful to the field of Medical Sciences.

An X-Ray, Source: Pinterest

World days are not just a celebration of past happenings but a hopeful future as well, which can be reinforced with the development of a field, more successfully, in a more advancing manner. In the field of medicine, such development is crucial to ensure a constant increase in the life of those who still suffer because of the lack of medical treatment available for their rare ailments.

The status of Medical technology would have gone nowhere if not for Wilhelm Conrad Rontgen, who accidentally stumbled across the investigation of Cathode rays and discovered the technology of X-Ray in 1895, blessing Medical Technology with a lifetime of ease and advancement, taking a leap towards precise diagnosis. It is in recognition and celebration of this achievement in the field of medical technology that World Radiology Day is observed every year on 8th November since 2011, marking the anniversary of one of the world’s greatest discoveries.

Celebration of Radiology is like celebrating all the medical facilitations that accompanied the discovery and introduction of X-Rays. Radiology, in layman’s parlance, is the digital imaging of bodily substance and World Radiology Day also supports the motif to use Radiochemical elements in minimum degrees.

The practice of celebrating the technology of Radiology was first suggested and introduced by ‘The International Society of Radiographers and Radiology Technology’ on the occasion of Rontgen’s death anniversary. It was only a few years back that, with the general consensus, the occasional ceremony shifted to the anniversary of the discovery of X-Rays, a more future-respectful outlook.

World Radiology Day is observed by all in all 200 Radiology and Medical associations around the world; a particular theme is chosen for every anniversary to equally and truly look into concerns revolving around the field of Radiology. Last year the theme was ‘International Radiology-Active care of the Patient’; the tentative theme of this year is ‘Radiologists and Radiographers supporting patients during COVID-19.

Radiology is a field that has a lot of scope for constant evolution. Since 1895, already many types of Radiology have been discovered and implemented in Medical sciences, the most common of them being- Tomography, Fluoroscopy, PET scan, etc.

This day is celebrated with harmony and solidarity which brings Radiologists and Radiographers around the world together. Hospitals and Radiology Societies conduct many educational workshops and events revolving around the theme and motif of the year. This cause is great and is performed and participated in with great zeal; its like giving a respectful, acknowledging nod to history to all those people and medical technology professionals like Rontgen, whose combined and revolutionary efforts bought such enormous changes in the field of medical technology, allowing Medical benefits to reach far and wide without any hindrance. Technologies like Radiology have made a deep impact in making the diagnosis of patients easier.

However, Curie did not patent her discovery. As the radioactive industry began to grow, her discovery helped many people fight cancer to this day.

National Cancer Awareness Day In India

Around 1.1 million cases of cancer are found each year in India. In 1975, the National Cancer Control Program was launched in India that aimed to provide cancer treatment facilities throughout the nation. Expanding on the same vision, in 1984-85, the country aimed to develop technologies that could be helpful in the early detection of cancer.

Therefore, on cancer day, people are encouraged to pay visits for free cancer screening in the CGHS centers and municipal clinics. Many cancer specialist hospitals also host seminars and webinars to discuss the new trends and technologies in treating cancer.

Furthermore, leaflets along with the pink ribbon as a symbol of awareness are distributed to people in order to raise awareness. Many also observe this day to celebrate the survivors of cancer. Hospitals, support groups, physiotherapy centers, etc. organise celebratory events for survivors to share their stories and for others to get inspired and celebrate their wins!

Marie Curie, source: Wikimedia