A recent study published in JAMA Internal Medicine suggests that the radiation emitted by CT scans, essential for diagnosing various health afflictions, may be responsible for roughly 5% of all cancers diagnosed in the U.S. According to Dr. Rebecca Smith-Bindman, lead author of the study, the increasing use of CT scans poses a significant risk due to the radiation exposure, and it is important to balance the benefits and harms.
The study estimates that 103,000 cancer diagnoses could result from 93 million scans performed in the U.S. in 2023 alone. While some scans might add no diagnostic value, the varying radiation doses emitted by CT scans become a concern. To reduce exposure and risks, discussions with healthcare providers and optimizing radiation doses in each scan are essential.
Efforts to restrict unnecessary scans have been unsuccessful, highlighting the need for changes in current practices. Patients are encouraged to educate themselves, ask questions, and seek low-dose options when undergoing CT scans to minimize the risk of exposure to radiation.
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