The Hidden Dangers of Common Medical Scans

CT scans are a common tool in modern medicine. They help doctors spot and diagnose health issues. They also guide medical procedures. But there is a catch. These scans expose people to ionizing radiation. This type of radiation is known to cause cancer. A recent study shed light on this issue. It suggested that CT scans might be linked to a significant number of cancer cases. The study estimated that in 2023, over 100, 000 people who had CT scans could develop cancer due to the radiation. This number is much higher than previous estimates. The researchers argued that CT scans should be considered a major cancer risk factor. They compared it to risks like excessive drinking and obesity. The study looked at survey data from hospitals and imaging labs. They found that 93 million CT scans were performed on 61. 5 million people in 2023. The researchers then calculated the cancer risk based on the radiation doses received and the body parts scanned. Their estimates were three to four times higher than past studies. The study has sparked debate. Some experts question the methods and assumptions used. Mark Supanich, a specialist in medical physics, believes the study overestimates the risk. He argues that many CT scans are done on patients with serious health issues. Including these patients in the risk calculation can skew the results. The authors of the study tried to account for this by excluding tests done in the last year of life. But Supanich thinks a longer exclusion period is needed. Supanich also points out that the science on low-dose radiation and cancer risk is still evolving. He advises caution in accepting the study's claims. He disagrees with the authors' comparison of CT scans to other known cancer risk factors. He believes this comparison could cause unnecessary worry. The study calls for reforms in how CT tests are conducted. This could include reducing the number of scans or lowering the radiation dose per test. There has already been progress in reducing radiation doses. A 2019 report showed a 20% decline in average medical radiation doses over a decade. Despite the study's findings, experts agree that CT scans have clear benefits. They can help detect cancer early, which is crucial for treatment. The individual risk of cancer from a single CT scan is very low. It is important to weigh the benefits and risks of CT scans. People should not avoid necessary medical tests out of fear. Instead, they should discuss the risks and benefits with their doctors.