B+Nuclear+Medicine+Radio+Isotopes+for+Diagnosis+and+Treatment

=__Isotope and Radioactivity__= = = =Name of radioactive isotope/electromagnetic radiation/scientist:= = Radioisotope used for medicinal treatment: cobalt-60 = = = = = =Explanation of interesting facts: (how used/works.experiments/discoveries)=
 * 1) Cobalt-60 has a half-life of 5.3 years
 * 2) Cobalt-60 is an artificial radioactive isotope, it is produced by placing rods of cobalt-59 inside and reactor for 5-10 years.
 * 3) Cobalt-60 undergoes beta decay, and produces gamma rays.
 * 4) Cobalt-60 is also a byproduct of nuclear reactor operations, that occur when metal structures are exposed to neutron radiation.
 * 5) Most cobalt-60 that is ingested is excreted as waste however a small quantity is absorbed by the liver, kidneys, and bone tissue. That is why high concentrations of gamma radiation can cause cancer in these parts of the body.

=3 Advantages of using the radioactive isotope/radiation/benefits of discovery= 1. Cobalt-60 can be used to sterilize medical equipment because it destroys bacteria, microorganisms or cells on the apparatus. The radioisotope can also be used for food irradiation, for the the same reason above.

2. Cobalt-60 is very cost effective and the therapy units have a very simple design.

3. Not only does cobalt-60 have uses in the medical field but it can also be used industrially in leveling devices and to detect flaws in metals.

=3 Disadvantages of using the radioactive isotope/radiation/discovery:= 1. Getting the radioactive isotope can be harmful because the nuclear power plants at which these isotopes are created at, produce harmful waste that is hard to dispose of.

2. Side effects include, anxiety or depression, changes in appetite, fatigue, skin changes in the treatment area, changes in sleep patterns, and hair loss.

3. Too much exposure to this radioactive isotope can have harmful effects on organisms such as mutations, cell defects and radiation sickness.

=Is the radioactive isotope/radiation/discovery still used today? Explain= Cobalt-60 is still used today for medicinal purposes. Radioisotopes used for medicine can be used in a number of different ways. Co-60 is used for sterilization of medical equipment, radiotherapy, radiography, and food and blood irradiation.

=References= Add your useful link to the resource page as well as this template http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cobalt-60 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radiotherapy http://www.cna.ca/curriculum/cna_nuc_tech/cobalt60-eng.asp?bc=Cobalt-60%20Therapy%20Unit&pid=Cobalt-60%20Therapy%20Unit http://www.bt.cdc.gov/radiation/isotopes/cobalt.asp

=Diagram/image (include source and caption)=