CT scans are a handy tool for doctors to peek inside the human body and spot serious health issues, but they might come with a hidden cost. A study from the University of California, San Francisco, suggests these scans could be tied to 5% of cancer cases each year. Dr. Rebecca Smith-Bindman, a UCSF radiologist, shared with Fox News Digital that “while some uncertainty exists, it doesn’t significantly affect the core conclusion: A small but meaningful percentage of cancers are linked to CT scans, and this number can be reduced.”
The research highlights that the radiation from CT scans is on par with other cancer risk factors like drinking alcohol and being overweight. This means that while CT scans are helpful for diagnosing problems quickly, they also carry some risk. The study predicts that CT scans done in 2023 could lead to about 103,000 future cancer cases in the U.S., mostly affecting adults aged 50 to 69.
Though babies and children face the highest individual risk, adults make up the bulk of scans, driving the overall cancer burden. Dr. Smith-Bindman pointed out that “CT doses are sometimes higher than necessary.” Lung cancer, colon cancer, leukemia, and breast cancer are some of the common types linked to CT radiation.
Dr. Smith-Bindman emphasized that if a CT scan is really needed, the benefits outweigh the risks. But the growing use of CT scans, especially when not medically necessary, is concerning. “Low-value scanning,” as it’s called, should be avoided to reduce potential harm.
The study, appearing in JAMA Internal Medicine, was supported by the National Institutes of Health. To minimize risks, the researchers advise against unnecessary CT scans and suggest lowering the radiation dose per scan. Patients are encouraged to talk to their doctors about whether a CT scan is essential and if other imaging options like an MRI or ultrasound might be better.
Dr. Nicole Saphier, a Fox News medical contributor, noted that the study may even underestimate the cancers linked to medical imaging. She mentioned that many cases might go unrecognized due to the time it takes for cancer to develop and other contributing factors. “The recent study linking the ionizing radiation from CT scans to an increased risk of cancer underscores what many in the medical community have understood for years,” she said.
With the rise in medical imaging, especially in younger people, the lifetime exposure to radiation is becoming a bigger issue. Dr. Saphier pointed out that while CT scans are “fast and cheap” and save lives daily, it’s crucial to balance the benefits and risks. Doctors should consider alternative methods when possible, like ultrasound or MRI, which do not use harmful radiation.
The key takeaway is for healthcare providers and patients to make informed decisions and ensure that CT scans are used wisely. Dr. Saphier emphasized the need to refine protocols, limit unnecessary imaging, and use the lowest radiation doses without sacrificing diagnostic quality. “This is not a call to avoid CT scans — it is a call to use them wisely,” she concluded.
