This word ‘ionising’ means that the X-rays are capable of damaging the actual molecules of substances that they pass through. The amount of damage depends on the ‘strength’ of the X-rays and the length of exposure. There is no amount of radiation that can be guaranteed as absolutely safe but it is believed that the amount of radiation involved in taking X-rays has only a very minute chance of causing problems such as cancer in the future. Every effort is made to keep the radiation to a minimum. Much research has gone into developing equipment that will take good X-rays with the least possible amount of radiation going through the patient. The rays only pass through you for a very short time while the machine is turned on. Your doctor and X-ray specialists between them should ensure that X-rays are taken in such a way that they get the maximum information for the least possible amount of radiation. Ask them about this if you are worried. They should tell you why the X-rays are being taken, what information they will give, and why it is important to have this information.

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