Brussels – 10 February 2011 COCIR welcomes the European Society of Radiology’s (ESR) initiative to launch the first European Day of Radiology to raise awareness with the public and professionals on the important role radiology plays in prevention and healthcare in Europe.
COCIR Secretary General, Nicole Denjoy, said, “Since the pioneering days of Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen who discovered the X-Ray over 100 years ago, our industry has consistently advanced X-Ray and other medical imaging technologies, beyond anything than Röntgen could ever have imagined. Radiology is and will remain a key part of a successful healthcare system and ESR is to be congratulated for its initiative to highlight this.”
X-ray imaging accompanied with Computed Tomography (CT) is now routinely used to accurately diagnose and detect disease, while other technologies such as Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Positron Emission Tomography (PET) have enabled physicians to image at the molecular as well as anatomical levels. Similarly, radiotherapy is continuously developing solutions, changing the way cancer is treated and increasing long-term, progression-free survival rates for certain types of tumours.
Looking to the future, COCIR believes that imaging and effective eHealth tools such as PACS will remain a critical component of healthcare systems – improving quality, cost-effectiveness and, most importantly, patient outcomes. Increasingly, imaging is an integral component of disease pathways and in the monitoring of complex and often costly therapies in areas such as cancer.
John Golding, President of the European Multiple Sclerosis Platform (EMSP) and a person with MS says “MRI plays a vital role in early diagnosis and ongoing monitoring of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and helps identify effective treatments through all stages of the disease. A recent study looking at the economics of MS shows that effective early treatment can slow the progression of MS, resulting in better health and quality of life for the patient, and lower medical costs for society.”
However, despite the unquestionable success of radiology, there is still much to be done to bring all of Europe up to the standards of the best and to give all patients access to recent technology, resulting in improved, more effective and less-invasive procedures.
The latest ‘COCIR Age Profile 2009’ shows that there is insufficient investment in new radiology technologies in certain countries. The study found that no type of radiology equipment fulfils the COCIR Golden Rules which are:
• At least 60% of the installed equipment base should be younger than five years
• Not more than 30% should be between six and ten years old
• Not more than 10% of the age profile should be older than ten years
For more information, contact:
Nicole Denjoy Kathryn Sheridan
COCIR Secretary General COCIR Communications
Tel: +32 (0)2 706 8961 Tel: +32 (0)496 116198
denjoy@cocir.org press@cocir.org
Sign up feature for press releases
For press questions please contact:
Kathryn Sheridan
COCIR Communications Advisor
00 32 (0) 496 116198
press@cocir.org