A new study reveals that routine CT scans, performed millions of times annually in the US, could result in over 100,000 new cancer cases, including nearly 10,000 in children. The Institute of Cancer Research in London highlights the scans' cancer risk similarity to alcohol, particularly alarming given the vast increase in CT use from 3 million in 1980 to approximately 93 million in 2023. The researchers stress the need for minimizing unnecessary scans and ensuring safe dosing, particularly for younger patients, while balancing the diagnostic advantages of the scans.
While CT scans are immensely beneficial in diagnosing and detecting many conditions, including cancer, they do involve exposure to ionizing radiation that has been shown to increase the risk of developing cancer.
It's important to note that for the individual patient, this increased risk is small, and the benefits far outweigh the risks if the scan is clinically justified.
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