John Cameron Quotes

I found collaborating with congenial doctors about problems that physicists could help solve was very satisfying. I also like educating anybody who would listen!

The growth of technology is such that it is not possible today for a nuclear physicist to switch into medical physics without training. The field is now much more technical. More training is needed to do the job.

Medical physicists work in cooperation with doctors. A few medical physicists devote their time to research and teaching. A few get involved with administrative duties.

I don't display my plaques and honors. They are hidden behind a black curtain in my work room at home.

When I entered medical physics in 1958 there were fewer than 100 in the U.S. and I could see many opportunities to apply my knowledge of nuclear physics.

I started the nuclear medicine laboratory at UW Hospitals in 1959 and trained radiology residents in the field. It was 1965 before they found a trained MD (doctor) to take over my role.

I have the satisfaction of knowing I did something useful for society.

When I entered the field in July 1958 I believed what they told me about radiation risks. I spent much effort reducing the dose to patients in radiology.

I am now almost certain that we need more radiation for better health.

In some cases radiation reduces the incidence of cancer.

My main frustration is the fear of cancer from low dose radiation, even by radiologists.

Many Nobel Prizes are awaiting good research to understand and explain the many mysteries of our bodies, such as the basic mechanism of memory or imagination.

I was the Chair of the first department of medical physics in a medical school in the U.S.

I am sure that I have been much more useful to society as a medical physicist.

Medical physics is an applied area of physics.

Nuclear physics is interesting but it is unlikely to help society.

If someone is interested in medicine and also in physics and they like working with people and communicate well with others, I would strongly encourage them.

In 1970 I realized that there was negligible risk from x-rays but many radiographs had poor image quality so that the risk from a false negative was significant.

Too many radiologists still believe there is a risk from a chest x-ray. Few radiologists can explain radiation to the patient in words the patient can understand.

Most medical physicists work in the physics of radiation oncology making sure that the desired dose is given to the cancer and the dose to normal tissues are minimized.

I have devoted much time and energy to helping medical physics in developing countries.

I would not encourage everyone to take up this profession. Not everyone is suited for any particular field.