CT Scans Linked to Cancer
by Brooke McMillan
News released today suggests that radiation from CT Scans could actually be causing cancer- an estimated 29,000 cases per year. CT Scans are a very sensitive imaging technology, much more sensitive than x-rays, and are very helpful in disease diagnosis and prognosis. The use of CT scans has increased significantly over the past 30 years, but there is evidence that indicates many of the scans administered are unnecessary. One major point for a patient is to either get access to medical records and provide copies of previous scans to your specialists or request that your doctor get access so that you can eliminate the unnecessary scan. It is important to talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of a CT, particularly if you have a personal or family history of cancer and may be at a higher risk.
NPR covered the story this morning and discussed the issue of how radiation levels can differ by facility and even by machine. The podcast is now available on NPR’s website.
CNN Medical Chief Medical Corespondent Sanjay Gupta discusses the new findings in the video below.
