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There are approximately 65 million CT scans done in the United States annually with an estimated 8 million in children. However, there is a much higher radiation dose from CT scans than from the traditional radiographs and fluoroscopy tests that radiologists perform and interpret. CT scans provide in general more information about the anatomy ...
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 ] Some experts note that CT scans are known to be "overused," and "there is distressingly little evidence of better health outcomes associated with the current high rate of scans."
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.
As of 2012, the risk of low dose radiation in medical imaging was unproven. [7] It is difficult to establish risks associated with low dose radiation. [7] One reason why is that a long period of time occurs from exposure to radiation and the appearance of cancer. [7] Also, there is a natural incidence of cancer. [7]
Berrington de González is co-PI of the UK Pediatric CT scans cohort, which was the first epidemiological study to suggest a direct link between CT scans and subsequent cancer risk. She also leads studies on the risk of second cancer after proton therapy and other emerging radiotherapy techniques.
The ionizing radiation used in CT scans can lead to radiation-induced cancer. [13] Age is a significant factor in risk associated with CT scans, [14] and in procedures involving children and systems that do not require extensive imaging, lower doses are used. [15]
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.
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]