Radiation has been successfully applied to solve a wide variety of global problems; undoubtedly the most important that of medicine. Medical uses of radiation typically include modern diagnostic and treatment techniques such as x-rays, radionuclides, and radiotherapy (International Atomic Energy Agency, 2004). In the context of x-rays, the use of radiation is most recognized in four individually targeted treatments, the first of which is chest x-ray. This particular diagnostic test is used to confirm that patients are suitable for surgery or to distinguish lung diseases such as emphysema, pneumonia and lung cancer (The American Association of Physics Teachers, 2007). The x-ray image can be printed through the use of specialized x-ray machines. These machines work in the same way as ordinary cameras, however, instead of using light with frequencies included in the visible spectrum, the machines use electromagnetic waves with much higher frequencies which are therefore capable of penetrating to through thicker media. (howstuffworks, 2013) A “barium enema” is an examination of the intestines in which a small amount of radioactive material (barium) is inserted into the body; showing doctors even the smallest blockages through the use of a screen. Cardiologists also use a form of x-ray (an angiogram) to detect blockages. It works in a very similar way to a barium enema. Mammograms are used to diagnose abnormalities such as breast cancer and use x-ray imaging to do so. They are very useful to doctors and patients because they can detect abnormalities, sometimes almost two years before a given patient notices changes in their body. Computed tomography (CT) is used to recognize the causes of abdominal pain and allows doctors to “see” enough organs. An x-ray of the body is taken and combined with computer-generated images to produce a two-dimensional image of the internal body (American Association of Physics Teachers, 2007). In addition to the use of radiation in x-rays, radioactive materials are also useful in the context of nuclear medicine. In this case, the radiation is often called a radionuclide sample and is administered to the patient through oral techniques. The drug works by forcing the patient's body to become radioactive for a short time. The presence of radioactivity in the patient's body allows doctors to determine whether the person's organs are functioning properly or not. Besides the functioning of the body's major organs, conditions such as interruption of blood flow and risk of infection can also be tested for..