CBS News – Approximately 93 million computed tomography examinations, or CT scans, are performed on 62 million patients annually in the United States — but the radiation from that process can raise the risk of future cancers.
Now a new study is projecting just how many cases of cancer could be linked to CT scans.
In the study, published in JAMA Internal Medicine on Monday, researchers estimate that over the lifetime of those millions of patients, about 103,000 radiation-induced cancers are projected to result from CT exams done in 2023.
“If current practices persist, CT-associated cancer could eventually account for 5% of all new cancer diagnoses annually,” the authors wrote.
“A 2015 investigation from Consumer Reports found up to one-third of CT scans performed could be unnecessary, exposing patients to unneeded radiation.”
…article continued below
– Advertisement –
Why it’s done
MAYO CLINIC – Your healthcare professional may suggest a CT scan for many reasons. For instance, a CT scan can help:
Diagnose muscle and bone conditions, such as bone tumors and breaks, also called fractures.
Show where a tumor, infection or blood clot is.
Guide procedures such as surgery, biopsy and radiation therapy.
Find and watch the progress of diseases and conditions such as cancer, heart disease, lung nodules and liver masses.
…article continued below
– Advertisement –
Watch how well certain treatments, such as cancer treatment, work.
Find injuries and bleeding inside the body that can happen after trauma.
Radiation exposure
During a CT scan, you’re briefly exposed to a type of energy called ionizing radiation. The amount of radiation is greater than the amount from a plain X-ray because the CT scan gathers more-detailed information.
The low doses of radiation used in CT scans have not been shown to cause long-term harm. But for repeated scans, there may be a small increase in the lifetime risk of cancer. This can affect children more than adults.
CT scans have many benefits that outweigh any small risk. Healthcare professionals use the lowest dose of radiation to get the needed medical information.
And newer, faster machines and techniques use less radiation than older CT scans did. Talk with your healthcare professional about the benefits and risks of a CT scan.