CT Scans – Cancer Risks

photo credit: digital cat 

Archives of Internal Medicine had an article that outlines the risks of having CT Scans done.  CT Scans have become routine and with that an increased prescription of them has arisen.

“Conditions that once required laparoscopy for diagnosis could now be diagnosed on the radiology reading board. The previously opaque anatomy of the living brain could now be visualized. The best part was that the test was “noninvasive,” fast, and painless. With the exception of patients who were allergic to dye or had renal insufficiency, CT was considered completely safe. No wonder it had such a significant effect on the practice of medicine.

Every day, more than 19 500 CT scans are performed in the United States, subjecting each patient to the equivalent of 30 to 442 chest radiographs per scan. Whether these scans will lead to demonstrable benefits through improvements in longevity or quality of life is hotly debated. What is becoming clear, however, is that the large doses of radiation from such scans will translate, statistically, into additional cancers. With CT scan use increasing annually, it is imperative that clinicians take into account the radiation risks when assessing the benefit to their patients.”

They reason that 15,000 people may die as a direct result of CT scans ordered in 2007 alone.
Wow.

If your doctors orders a CT Scan be sure to discuss the benefits, risks carefully.

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Posted on January 5th, 2010
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