Did you know that approximately 90,000 people are diagnosed with a primary brain tumor every year? This stunning statistic provided by the American Brain Tumor Association emphasizes the importance of calling attention to this disease, especially during May, which is Brain Tumor Awareness Month. Brain Tumor Awareness Month supports individuals with brain tumors and encourages the education and awareness of this complex condition. Early detection and treatment of this disease is key to saving lives—read on to learn how radiology physicians and locum radiologists make a difference beyond Brain Tumor Awareness Month.
What doctor can diagnose a brain tumor?
Radiologists who are authorized to diagnose brain tumors are called neuroradiologists—one of the 10+ subspecialties available in the field. As part of their training, neuroradiologists are authorized to order diagnostic imaging on patients. Depending on a patient’s symptoms, neuroradiologists determine the type of imaging. Once the X-rays, magnetic resonance images (MRI), and computed tomography (CT) scans of the brain are received, radiologists can make their interpretations and come to a diagnostic decision.
Radiologists make their diagnosis based on two classifications: benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). Once the type of tumor is determined, radiology physicians educate patients on the tumor’s size, density, growth rate etc. Using these factors, radiology physicians can determine how the body will be affected over a short or long period of time.
Do radiologists work independently?
Once the imaging results are interpreted, radiologists work collaboratively with a team of physicians and the patient’s primary care provider to determine next steps. In some cases, the radiology physician may request additional tests and assistance from specialists to ensure the complete and accurate physical location of a tumor. This means requesting blood or urine tests, a biopsy, or a detailed physical exam.
After the tumor has been localized, the radiologist can help guide treatment to ensure the correct area is targeted. This means working with neurosurgeons, neuro-oncologists, or radiation oncologists to provide support and technical advice. Research from Wake Forest University School of Medicine has found that the more a radiologist is involved with treatment, the more value and precision are added to the treatment. This means that even though radiologists do not have a role in removing tumors directly, their direct collaboration saves time, costs, and increases efficiency.
What is preventative radiology?
Radiologists don’t just screen individuals with symptoms of brain tumors—they work on the preventative side as well, screening people who are at high risk. The American Cancer Society states that individuals at higher risk and in need of preventative screening include those with prior radiation exposure, a family history of cancer, or a weak immune system.
A person might be at high risk due to radiation exposure after undergoing radiation therapy to treat other forms of cancer. When it comes to family history, these cases are rare, but still real, as familial cancer risk stems from genetic conditions like Neurofibromatosis type 1 and Tuberous Sclerosis. An example of someone with a weakened immune system would be those who have contracted Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and then developed Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). Given these conditions, radiologists can step in and help identify early threats and monitor areas of weakness.
Some people have already had cancer, or even a brain tumor. Radiologists must do routine scans to ensure these people receive the proper attention and analysis over time to ensure the tumor does not reappear.
How can locum radiologists assist in detecting brain tumors?
Given how important radiologists are to brain tumor detection, it’s essential to have an adequate number of radiology physicians available. However, the American College of Radiology has reported that there is a radiologist shortage. Factors contributing to the radiologist shortage include:
- Rising aging population
- Exponential population growth
- Drop in federally funded residency programs
- Rise in non-physician primary care providers ordering tests
- Cancer and chronic disease management have improved
- COVID-19 led to the retirement of radiologists
- The complexity of the imaging and technology available can make determination and final diagnosis difficult
- Technology available to rural facilities
- Constrained budgets of hospitals and specialized care centers
These factors highlight the growing radiologist shortage, disenfranchising many patients in need of life-saving diagnosis and treatment. A viable solution for both facilities and radiology physicians is to recruit or work as a locum radiologist. As key players in addressing the nationwide staffing shortage, these locum heroes can step in at short-staffed facilities whenever they’re needed. Most importantly, locum radiologists expand access to diagnostic imaging and contribute to a lower turnaround time for complete interpretation and diagnosis. As a result, locum radiologists can alleviate the workload on an already overstretched radiology workforce, helping to detect cancer faster.
Ready to switch up your work environment? Interested in assisting unserved communities? Consider working a locum position today and partner with Wellhart! View our open locum radiologist jobs here.
This article was written by Nathan Taylor, the Content Writer Intern for Barton Associates. Nathan is a business student at Central Connecticut State University.