Newswise — Reston, VA (Nov. 5, 2018) – The American College of Radiology (ACR) is proud to co-sponsor the 2018 International Day of Radiology (IDoR), in recognition of the tremendous advances in modern health care made possible by radiology. The celebration, taking place this Thursday, Nov. 8, is a joint effort of the ACR, the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) and the European Society of Radiology (ESR).

“In the 123 years since the discovery of the X-ray, medical imaging has continued to advance modern medicine, drive technological innovation and enable more effective and efficient patient care,” said William T. Thorwarth Jr., MD, FACR, Chief Executive Officer, American College of Radiology. “The International Day of Radiology celebrates the lives saved and extended worldwide by radiology and highlights the ongoing work of our members and their colleagues in research, diagnosis and treatment.”

Radiology is playing a key role in the prevention and early detection of cancers. Since regular mammography use started in the 1980s, breast cancer deaths in women have plunged more than 40 percent — and radiology professionals are helping to educate women about the importance of having a breast cancer risk assessment by age 30 and annual mammography every year beginning at age 40. Research shows that screening older current and former smokers each year with CT scans reduces lung cancer deaths by up to 61 percent in women and 26 percent in men. And virtual colonoscopy (CT colonography) is as accurate as standard colonoscopy in detecting pre-cancerous polyps, attracts more people to be screened, lowers costs and is covered by major insurers.

IDoR 2018 also includes celebrations during National Radiologic Technology Week (Nov. 4–10, 2018). Radiologic technologists play a vital role in every radiology department and practice, and engage directly with patients. As health care becomes more patient-focused, the ACR will continue to work with like-minded organizations, like the American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT), to ensure all radiology professionals have the support they need to deliver the best patient experience possible.

The ACR Commission on Patient- and Family-Centered Care (CPFCC) works collaboratively within the College and with patient-centered care organizations and professional medical societies for system-wide patient-centered outcomes. Its PFCC Toolkit offers practice-specific online resources to help radiology professionals enhance patient-engagement skills, and work is underway to address several areas of opportunity for radiologists to play a more active role in patient care identified in a first-of-its-kind survey of patients undertaken in 2017.

For additional information, please visit internationaldayofradiology.com or RadiologyInfo.org.

To arrange an interview with an ACR spokesperson, contact Meghan Swope at 703-390-9822 or email [email protected]. 

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About the American College of Radiology

The American College of Radiology (ACR), founded in 1924, is a professional medical society dedicated to serving patients and society by empowering radiology professionals to advance the practice, science, and professions of radiological care.

About the Radiological Society of North America

The Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) is an association of more than 54,000 radiologists, radiation oncologists, medical physicists and related scientists, promoting excellence in patient care and health care delivery through education, research and technologic innovation. The Society is based in Oak Brook, Il. 

About the European Society of Radiology

The European Society of Radiology is an apolitical, non-profit organization, dedicated to promoting and coordinating the scientific, philanthropic, intellectual and professional activities of Radiology in all European countries. The Society's mission at all times is to serve the healthcare needs of the general public through the support of science, teaching and research and the quality of service in the field of radiology.