- Nuclear Medicine is the specialty that, through the use of small amounts of radioactive material, allows the study of the functioning of all organs.
- It is useful for diagnosing many diseases, especially cardiovascular, neurodegenerative and oncological.
- In Mexico it is a medical specialty that lasts for 4 years.
The National Exam for Applicants for Medical Residency (ENARM) offers 27 direct-entry specialties to all those interested in continuing their studies. There are some that are in high demand because they are chosen by thousands of applicants, but there are also others with which the opposite occurs. Within this second category is Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging.
Although it is a very important area, to date there are doctors who do not know precisely what it consists of or its applications. While among the general population the doubts are even greater.
“Nuclear Medicine has become a global trend because we are mixing two things: the diagnostic part, using radioactive isotopes, with the treatment part, using the same elements but in a larger quantity for personalized therapies, to which He knows it as theragnostic and it has become a trend in oncology”.
This was explained by Dr. Enrique Estrada Lobatowho is part of the medical team of the Nuclear Medicine and Diagnostic Imaging Section of the International Atomic Energy Agency for Peace and Development (IAEA)based in Vienna, Austria, which belongs to the United Nations (UN).
What is Nuclear Medicine?
The graduate of the Autonomous University of Guadalajara (UAG) added that the Nuclear medicine It is a specialty that, through the use of small amounts of radioactive material, makes it possible to study the functioning of all organs and, in this way, diagnose many diseases, especially cardiovascular, neurodegenerative and oncological diseases.
And this allows us to work with many countries around the world, strengthening health systems in underdeveloped countries in Latin America.
“Now, I not only have development projects in health, but also important research projects, particularly in the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in medical images to be able to make much more accurate diagnoses.”
The participation of Doctor Estrada Lobato in the IAEA adds to the tradition of Mexican and Latin American specialists, who incorporate visions of each nation, with a positive impact for work worldwide for the good of humanity.
In his professional career, the UAG graduate has held positions such as President of the Mexican Society of Nuclear Medicine, President of the College of Nuclear Physicians, Head of the Department of Nuclear Medicine of the National Institute of Cancerology, President of the Latin American Association of Nuclear Medicine , President of the World Federation of Nuclear Medicine, among other functions.
“The biggest challenge was losing the fear of leaving my country and facing an international environment because I had many doubts.”
In this way, his discipline, responsibility, dedication and love, which distinguishes him as a professional and person, has been recognized within the United Nations, since he has received various awards such as the “Superior Award for Excellence”, among others.
The renowned Nuclear Doctor is a Surgeon from the Autonomous University of Guadalajara (UAG), generation 1988, and his concern for scientific research led him to seek new opportunities, which is why he moved to Mexico City to study Nuclear Medicine Specialty at the Hospital de Especialidades del Centro Médico Nacional “La Raza”, of the Mexican Institute of Social Security (IMSS).
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