ABSTRACT
This conclusion presents some closing thoughts on the concepts covered in the preceding chapters of this book. The book deals with ionising radiation effects and concludes with some disturbing information on the risks of low-dose radiation. It aims to develop an understanding of the effects of UVA light by making an analogy with the quadratic coefficient of the radiation model. The book explores different understanding of the effects of UVB and UVC light which was derived as an extension of the radiation model. Independent of the role of synergy, the alpha coefficient is normally dependent on radiation quality whereas the beta coefficient is affected by dose rate but is also more strongly influenced by changes in the cellular environment during exposure. The alpha/beta ratio is unlikely to be constant and the current trend to hypo-fractionation therapy regimes, with larger treatment doses and fewer treatment sessions, means that the beta coefficient will play a more important role in the cell-killing effect.
