The recommendation for medical examination of persons exposed to irradiation from the Chernobyl accident includes:
A. Adult persons exposed to irradiation:
- Adult persons exposed to radiation are recommended to be under observation and subject to regular checkups according to the American Cancer Society recommendations in force for the adult persons screening.
- Adult persons should have regular medical checkups with special attention paid to the thyroid gland, including laboratory analysis of the thyroid gland function and ultrasound observations if necessary.
- Ordinary blood tests and biochemical blood tests, analysis of thyroid gland function, and urinalysis.
B. Children exposed to irradiation:
- Ordinary pediatric checkups with measurement of height and weight, including longitudinal measurement of growth.
- Checkup of the thyroid gland, especially of persons exposed to irradiation when they were less than 3 years old at the time of the accident (April 1986).
- If thyroid sickness or hematologic malfunctions are suspected, then thyroid function tests and a complete blood test should be conducted.
- For children with variations in behavior or difficulties in school, a neuropsychiatric checkup is recommended.
When a patient visits the physician he may be interested in asking the following questions:
- Are you sure that my health problems since 1986 (frequent headaches, blood pressure increase, abdomen pain, etc.) is a result from my stay in the contaminated areas after the accident at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant?
- My vision has become worse since the accident. Could this be a result of radiation in the place(s) of my previous residence?
- I feel weak and a sense of apathy, and my face and feet seem to swell. Could I have problems with my thyroid?
- Could you send me for analyses to determine early signs of cancer?
- I feel heartburn and severe pain in my abdomen. They appeared after the Chernobyl accident. What is the cause, in your opinion?
- I am haunted with fear about my health because I resided in the contaminated territory for a long time (more than 5 years). How can I cope with this fear?
- I would like to have a baby. Will our children be affected because my husband and I resided in the contaminated territory for a long time (more than 5 years)?
- What medical and prophylactic treatments can reduce the negative health impact caused by exposed dose of radiation?
- Is it advisable to determine the exposed dose of radiation?
- How often should I have checkups, taking into consideration my residence in the contaminated territory?