To help explain exactly what nuclear and molecular imaging is, the Society of Nuclear Medicine launched a new Web site www.DiscoverMI.org.
To help explain exactly what nuclear and molecular imaging is, the Society of Nuclear Medicine launched a new Web site
The following post is from Susan Martonik, Assoc. Director of Public relations for SNM,( the Society of Nuclear Medicine) an international scientific and professional organization founded in 1954 to promote the science, technology and practical application of nuclear medicine.
SNM’s 16,000 members are physicians, technologists and scientists specializing in the research and practice of nuclear medicine. In addition to publishing journals, newsletters and books, the Society also sponsors international meetings and workshops designed to increase the competencies of nuclear medicine practitioners and to promote new advances in the science of nuclear medicine.
When cancer patients hear that they should undergo a nuclear or molecular imaging procedure, it’s understandable that they have many questions about what to expect. The word “nuclear” can be frightening for many and the concept of “molecular” can be hard to grasp.
The new web site focuses on three common disease areas-heart disease, cancer and brain disease. For each area, specific types of disease are detailed along with the various nuclear and molecular imaging procedures that are associated with each.
“Many times patients referred for a nuclear medicine or molecular imaging studies are nervous about what to expect,” said George Segall, MD, SNM president. “By providing information and explaining the benefits of the study in an easy to understand format, we can offer them both help and support.
The site provides patients with information on how nuclear and molecular imaging is used to detect, diagnose, evaluate, treat and manage various types of cancer. By breaking down the information by type of cancer and type of scan, patients are provided with easy-to- understand information about what to expect during their procedure.”
General information on molecular imaging, an extensive glossary and a video library are also included on the site. Additionally, patients can stay up to date on the latest in molecular imaging news through Facebook and Twitter pages designed to complement the site.
Over 16 million Americans undergo nuclear and molecular imaging and therapy procedures each year for a variety of conditions, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, neurological conditions and other physiological problems. Nuclear and molecular imaging procedures are an invaluable way to gather medical information that would otherwise be unavailable, require surgery or necessitate more expensive diagnostic tests.
