From cancer imaging to sterilising medical supplies, nuclear science quietly underpins several life-saving technologies used in modern medicine. During a recent media visit to the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), scientists explained how India’s nuclear research ecosystem is contributing to health care, from producing medical radioisotopes to advancing cancer diagnostics and treatment.
The visit, organised by the Public Awareness and Media Interaction Division of the DAE on March 5, took journalists from Mumbai to two key institutions, the Board of Radiation and Isotope Technology (BRIT) and the Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer (ACTREC), the research arm of the Tata Memorial Centre.
Together, the two institutions represent different ends of the nuclear medicine ecosystem, with one producing essential materials used in diagnostics and therapy, and the other deploying advanced technologies to treat cancer patients and conduct cutting-edge research.
At BRIT, scientists explained how radioisotopes, radioactive forms of elements used in medical imaging and therapy, are produced and supplied across the country. These isotopes are critical for diagnostic scans such as PET and SPECT imaging, which allow doctors to detect diseases including cancer, heart conditions and neurological disorders at an early stage.
According to BRIT officials, the organisation plays a key role in ensuring a steady supply of medical isotopes to hospitals and nuclear medicine centres across India.
Apart from health care applications, radiation technologies are also used for sterilising medical equipment, processing pharmaceuticals and improving food safety through irradiation. Demonstrations explained how radiation sterilisation helps ensure that disposable medical products from syringes to surgical gloves, remain free of microbial contamination.
Scientists also highlighted the growing demand for nuclear medicine in India, driven by rising cancer incidence and increasing adoption of advanced imaging technologies.
The delegation later visited ACTREC in Navi Mumbai, where scientists and clinicians showcased how nuclear science and advanced imaging technologies are integrated into cancer research and treatment.
ACTREC houses sophisticated diagnostic tools such as PET/CT and SPECT/CT imaging systems, which combine anatomical and molecular imaging to help doctors locate tumours, monitor treatment response and plan targeted therapies.
During the interaction, experts also discussed ongoing work in translational cancer research, which seeks to bridge laboratory discoveries with real-world clinical applications.
Researchers at the centre are involved in developing new diagnostic tools, understanding cancer biology and exploring innovative therapeutic strategies.
Scientists emphasised that a major goal of DAE-supported institutions is to develop affordable health care technologies that can reach a wider population. Nuclear medicine techniques, they noted, are becoming increasingly important not only for cancer care but also for diagnosing cardiac and neurological disorders.
As India’s health care system expands its diagnostic capabilities, the demand for radioisotopes, imaging systems and radiation-based technologies is expected to grow, said experts.