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In this group, one in every 1,800 CT scans was followed by an excess cancer. If the lifetime risk of developing cancer is 40% then the absolute risk rises to 40.05% after a CT. The risks of CT scan radiation are especially important in patients undergoing recurrent CT scans within a short time span of one to five years. [157] [158] [159]
The risk of low dose radiation in medical imaging is unproven. [7] It is difficult to establish risk due to low dose radiation. [7] This is in part because there are other carcinogens in the environment, including smoking, chemicals, and pollutants. [7] A common head CT has an effective dose of 2 mSv. [7]
The currently used low dose CT scan results in a radiation exposure of about 2 millisieverts (equal to roughly 20 two-view chest x-rays). [11] It has been estimated that radiation exposure from repeated screening studies could induce cancer formation in a small percentage of screened subjects, so this risk should be mitigated by a (relatively ...
Compared to most other diagnostic imaging procedures, CT scans result in relatively high radiation exposure. This exposure may be associated with a very small increase in cancer risk. The question is whether that risk is outweighed by the benefits of diagnosis and therapy [8] The procedure has a low rate of finding disease.
Radiation hormesis is the conjecture that a low level of ionizing radiation (i.e., near the level of Earth's natural background radiation) helps "immunize" cells against DNA damage from other causes (such as free radicals or larger doses of ionizing radiation), and decreases the risk of cancer. The theory proposes that such low levels activate ...
A concern is the potential for CT to contribute to radiation-induced cancer and in 2007 it was estimated that 0.4% of current cancers in the United States were due to CTs performed in the past, and that in the future this figure may rise to 1.5–2% based on historical rates of CT usage. [59]
However, there are no absolute contraindications to iodinated contrast, so the benefits needs to be weighted against the risks. [14] As with CT scans in general, the radiation dose can potentially increase the risk of radiation-induced cancer. The injection of iodinated contrast agents may sometimes lead to its extravasation. [15]
CT scans of the head increase the risk of brain cancer, especially for children. As of 2018, it appeared that there was a risk of one excess cancer per 3,000–10,000 head CT exams in children under the age of 10.