Hiroshima International Council for Health Care of the Radiation-exposed

HICARE Executive Secretary Ueno gave a lecture to 16 interested applicants, ranging from first to third year senior students of the school. The lecure was on the health effects of A-bomb radiation, health check-ups for A-bomb survivors, HICARE's past efforts, and his expectations for the students.

The students gave their feedback as follows;

"It was good to get correct knowledge about radiation and A-bomb survivors," "I was surprised at the power of radiation, which can cause cancer and at the same time help cure cancer," and "As a young person in Hiroshima, I would like to communicate about peace and other issues."

After the lecture, a student representative told the lecturer, "I want to become a medical professional in the future, and I may have opportunities to take care of A-bomb survivors. I would like to make use of what I learned today in the future."

HICARE President Kamiya gave a lecture to 194 first-year senior high school students about HICARE's past efforts, the health effects of A-bomb radiation, and the health risks of radiation.

The students gave their feedback as follows;

"It was very interesting to learn about the relationship between cancer risk and radiation dose for the first time," "I was surprised to know that radiation is found in nature and food, and that we consume radiation on a daily basis," and "I learned that radiation can work both for good and for bad."

HICARE Representative Executive Secretary Kodama gave a lecture to 177 first-year Senior high school students about the Radiation Effects Research Foundation and its studies, the effects of A-bomb radiation on the human body, as well as Hiroshima's contribution to the medical care of A-bomb survivors.

In addition, Ms. Satoda, a fourth-year medical student at Hiroshima University School of Medicine, who was dispatched to the IAEA under the HICARE Internship Dispatch Program, introduced her internship experience. Ms. Satoda talked about her work at the IAEA and international exchange with various people she met there.

The students gave their feedback as follows;

"I learned for the first time that Hiroshima's experience in medical treatment for A-bomb survivors and the study results of radiation injury are contributing to the healthcare of radiation-exposed people around the world," "I think it is very important to promote Hiroshima's contribution to the healthcare of radiation-exposed people in the world," and "I think we should look overseas to think about what we can do now and put it into action."

HICARE Executive Secretary Tashiro gave a lecture to 18 interested applicants, ranging from first to third year senior students of the school. The lecure was on HICARE's past efforts, research at RIRBM, Hiroshima University's activities regarding the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident, and cooperative projects with the IAEA, including the dispatch of medical students as interns.

[Feedback from students]

-Since I have had few opportunities to learn about the scientific aspects of the atomic bomb, it was nice to learn more about it from the lecture.

-It was very interesting to know that radiation is used in CT scans and X-rays, which we often hear about, and learn about chromosomal abnormalities in people who have been exposed to high levels of radiation.

- I didn't know much about the individual differences in the effects of radiation exposure, so I'm going to use this opportunity to learn more about the effects of radiation.

HICARE held a public lecture for the purpose of deepening the undestanding of prefectural residents and citizens on the theme of radiation around us.

Lecturer Yasuda explained the convenience and risks of radiation using illustrations and others he prepared himself.

Also, citing actual cases, Lecturer Awai explained how much information inside the body can be visualized by diagnostic imaging using radiation.

HICARE held a public lecture for the purpose of providing the knowledge on medical system needed in the event of a radiation disaster.

  Lecturer Kodama outlined about the role of the WHO's Radiation Emergency Medical Preparedness and Assistance Network (RENPAM), as well as how Hiroshima has been involved in it, dividing it into two phases before and after the establishment of HICARE

 While Lecturer Hirohashi introduced the situation in the medical practice immediately after the Great East Japan Earthquake and the accident of Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant of Tokyo Electric Power Company. Then he outlined the current status and issues in the ongoing development of the nuclear disaster medical system, as well as the role of Hiroshima University.

A special lecture was held at  Hiroshima Prefectural Onomichi Kita High School to introduce HICARE's activities and to develop human resources for the next generation.

HICARE Executive Secretary Tashiro gave a lecture to 34 students in their first to third years those who are aiming to go on to medical university. which is on HICARE's past efforts, research at RIRBM, Hiroshima University's activities regarding the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident, and cooperative projects with the IAEA, including the dispatch of medical students as interns.

A special lecture was held at Hiroshima Global Academy (Hiroshima Eichi Gakuen).

The purpose of the lecture is to let the students know that Hiroshima has contributed to the world by making use of the accumulated medical expertise on A-Bomb survivor as well as research results on the radiation effects, hoping to encourage them to be active in the world in the future.

Dr. Kamiya gave a lecture in English to high school students, including international students from eight different countries. The content was mainly about the health risks of radiation exposure and radiation-sensitive diseases, including detailed scientific explanations about the mechanisms of damage to DNA of human cells.

[Feedback from the students]

-I was able to gain a new perspective on the atomic bombings and nuclear weapons through the content that I do not usually learn in peace studies.

-The explanation of radiation risk were very detailed and I was able to grasp the overall concept of radiation risk.

-There is an inversely proportional relationship between age at exposure and thyroid cancer risk among A-bomb survivors. I wonder what criteria were used to measure this y-axis, since the distance from the hypocenter and the amount of radiation exposure differ from person to person.

A special lecture was held at Hiroshima Jogakuin Senior High School. The purpose of the lecture is to let the students know that Hiroshima has contributed to the world by making use of the accumulated expertise on A-Bomb survivor as well as research results on the radiation effects, hoping them to be ambitious to become a professional who will contribute to the world in the future.

 The lecturer, Dr. Kodama explained about the Radiation Effects Research Foundation and its studies, the effects of A-bomb radiation on the human body as well as Hiroshima's contribution to the medical care of A-bomb survivors.

He also introduced his experiences of studying abroad and working at international conferences such as the United Nations and the World Health Organization (WHO), as well as his background, with many photos, in order to enhance the students' interest in the world.

[Feed Back from the students]

-It was the first time for me to know that the medical care for A-bomb survivors in Hiroshima is known worldwide. Though I have learned a lot about the atomic bombings, this opportunity gave me new understandings by learning about the atomic bombings from the viewpoint of medicine.

- I was impressed by the fact that the experience of having been to various countries at a young age was very useful for the future. I would like to have many different experiences while I am young.

-I came to think of putting importance on encounters with people.

This lecture was held to deepen everyone's understanding of the actual medical situation of the coronal disaster and its impact on society, as well as the current status of radiotherapy in Hiroshima Prefecture.

A special lecture was held at Hiroshima Prefectural Kuremitsuta Seior High School. The purpose of the lecture is to let the students know that Hiroshima has contributed to the world making use of the accumulated medical experiences on A-Bomb survivor as well as research results on the radiation effects, hoping them to be ambitious to become a professional who will contribute to the world in the future.

Lecturer Dr. Kodama explained about HICARE’s contributions to the world through various projects such as training of medical personnel and dispatching medical professionals, in order to support radiation-exposed people all over the world, showing various pictures including Lake Chagan (Atomic Lake) in Kazakhstan which is created by a nuclear test.

Then, he colorfully introduced his experiences of being actively involved in international conferences of the United Nations, the World Health Organization (WHO) and so on with many pictures taken at the well-known sites he had ever visited. He added that those global careers were based on the five years of clinical training experience in a U.S. hospital in his twenties. Looking back on those days, he told that the hardships he went thorough during the time made it possible for him to carry out current works.

At ending, he concluded with the words of his mentor, Dr. Itsuzo Shigematsu, former chairman of the Radiation Effects Research Foundation, “Visiting old, create new.”  “Please treasure every encounter,” he encouraged students, “Create new things, and be active in international society.”

There are feedbacks from students as follows;

“I want to broaden my horizons and take actions globally,”

“I will keep doing what I can do,”

“I want to be a creator to design a new age.”

A special lecture was held at Hiroshima Notre Dame Seishin Senior High School. The purpose of the lecture is to have the students understood Hiroshima’s contribution to the world in the field of medical care of radiation-exposed people, hoping them to be ambitious to become a professional who will contribute to the world in the future.

 In the lecture, Prof. Tashiro，Director of RIRBM, introduced the institution which marks 60^th anniversary this year and is featured by a variety of medical professionals working on a broad range of researches and clinical studies such as radiation genetics, epidemiology, developing unique microscopes and treatment for cancer and leukemia.

He also introduced a comprehensive study project which focused on people atomic-bombed around the hypocenter. In addition, he gave the information about the support activities of Hiroshima University in response to the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.

Then Prof. Tashiro talked about his personal story in his school days that he decided to become a researcher after attending a lecture given by Prof. Nanao Kamada (currently an emeritus professor professor of Hiroshima University)  who would become his mentor later on. He also explained about his current research on low dose radiation effects on chromosomal which has been a frequent issue concerning CT scan and on the sensibility gap among people. “Testing with radiation has risks, but also has great medical benefits. We are working on these researches so that people will be able to receive the tests safely”, he highlighted the significance of their research.

There are also explanations on coordinate research for International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in which researchers from over the world worked together for a week  with all day long discussion, exchanging each other over dinners. Showing some photos of Wiener Schnitzel, a local food in Vienna, landscape with the Danube and so on, he encouraged students; “Researching is fun and worthwhile doing. It is important that people born and raised in Hiroshima will be engaged in medical care for the radiation-exposed worldwide or radiation medicine. So why not find your way in the research world?”

●　Feedback

“I become interested to hear that Hiroshima University works with IAEA which I have learned about in my class”

“I came to know now there are careers as a researcher to work with the rest of the world”

“I am interested in the fact that radiation has both risks and benefits”