Overuse of CT Scans Can Lead to Cancer Deaths
Studies Identify Higher Than Expected Rates of Radiation-Induced Cancer
Michael J. Pentecost, MD, Associate Chief Medical Officer, NIA
Two scientific reports and an accompanying editorial, published in
the Archives of Internal Medicine on Dec. 14, 2009,
raise the possibility of a much higher than expected rate of
radiation-induced cancer in patients who have undergone CT scans.
The studies, authored by scientists from the National Cancer Institute, the American College of Radiology, Johns Hopkins and the University of California at San Francisco, assert that 29,000 future cancers can be attributed to scans performed in just one year (2007).
With CT scans increasing in number from less than 20 million in 1993 to 72 million in 2007, the findings are especially relevant and timely...
To learn more about these findings and recommended actions to address overuse of CT scans, download your copy of Overuse of CT Scans Can Lead to Cancer Deaths (PDF).
Download and read your copy of:
Overuse of CT Scans Can Lead to Cancer Deaths (PDF)
Ionizing Radiation Exposure From Radiologic Imaging (PDF)