CT (computed tomography) scans are powerful diagnostic tools that help Physicians detect serious health problems quickly. However, they also come with significant risks that are often overlooked.
Many patients are unaware that a single CT scan can expose them to as much as 500 times the radiation of a standard chest X-ray. Repeated exposure to this high level of radiation can increase the risk of developing cancer later in life.
In fact, it is estimated that about 25,000 Americans develop cancer each year as a result of medical radiation exposure, including from CT scans. Some doctors may order these scans too readily, without fully considering whether they are truly necessary. This can happen due to time pressure, habit, fear of missing a diagnosis, or even patient demand.
Studies from American universities, like UCSF, show that using CT scans in the U.S. may cause many future cancer cases. This means CT scans can have serious long-term risks if overused.
Which cancers can result from CT scan radiation exposure?
Radiation from CT scans can slightly increase the risk of several types of cancer, especially:
- Leukemia (cancer of the blood-forming tissues)
- Thyroid cancer
- Breast cancer (particularly in younger women)
- Lung cancer
- Brain tumors
- Colon cancer
Children and young adults are more sensitive to radiation and have a higher lifetime risk. The overall risk is still small for an individual scan, but it adds up with repeated exposure.
Before agreeing to a CT scan, it is important to ask your doctor if it is really needed and whether there are safer alternatives, such as ultrasound or MRI. Patients should also ask if a lower-dose scan option is available, as newer machines can sometimes use much less radiation.
Keynote
CT scans can save lives when they are truly needed. But using them too often can cause long-term harm that is worse than the benefits. You should learn about the risks and talk with your doctor before having a scan. This can help you avoid unnecessary radiation. It is your right to ask questions and understand why a test is needed.
Always think about the immediate benefits and possible future risks. This will help you make the best choice for your health.