Radiation Safety in Medical Imaging: A Framework for Reducing Population Exposure

A BSTRACT Medical imaging utilizing ionizing radiation has become indispensable in modern healthcare, with exponential growth in diagnostic procedures over recent decades contributing to increased population radiation exposure. From a preventive medicine perspective, balancing the diagnostic benefits of radiological examinations against potential long-term cancer risks represents a critical public health challenge. This narrative review examines the epidemiological evidence linking medical radiation exposure to cancer development, quantifies population-level exposure trends, and explores evidence-based strategies for radiation dose optimization and risk reduction. We synthesize data on radiation-induced cancer risks across different age groups, organ systems, and dose levels, with particular attention to vulnerable populations including children, pregnant women, and individuals requiring repeated imaging. The review addresses cumulative radiation exposure from computed tomography, fluoroscopy-guided procedures, nuclear medicine, and other diagnostic modalities. We discuss the principles of justification, optimization, and dose limitation as fundamental components of radiation protection in medical settings. Implementation strategies, including clinical decision support systems, dose tracking programs, standardized protocols, and patient communication approaches, are examined alongside comparative international regulatory frameworks. The review highlights opportunities for dose reduction without compromising diagnostic quality, and provides stakeholder-specific recommendations for preventive medicine specialists, radiologists, healthcare administrators, and policymakers.