Columbia Report Raises Concerns About CT Scans
A new study conducted by researchers at Columbia University reports millions of Americans are receiving unnecessary computed tomography (CT) scans which could increase their risk of developing cancer later in life.
Approximately 62 million diagnostic CT scans were performed in the United States last year including more than 4 million involving children. Each CT scan exposes the patient to a small dose of radiation which can significantly increase their cumulative exposure over a lifetime.
Because increased exposure to radiation increases cancer risk and children are more susceptible to radiation’s effects than adults, the scientists estimated up to two percent of future cancers could be caused by the overuse of CT scans today.
Other experts interviewed about the study questioned some of the methodology used for the Columbia study, but agreed that the report is bringing attention to an important public health issue.
The Columbia researchers conducting the federally-funded study, David J. Brenner, PhD, and Eric J. Hall, PhD, suggest replacing some CT scans with other diagnostic techniques which don’t rely on radiation, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or ultrasound.
Results from the study are published in the November 29, 2007, edition of The New England Journal of Medicine.
Source: Associated Press Article from The New York Times
Related Links: Columbia University Medical Center; ABC News; msnbc.com
Related Video: CT Scan from Mayo Clinic Health Tools
Related Podcast: CT Scans and Lung Cancer from the US National Library of Medicine
Tags: Radiology; cancer tests; medical physicists
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