Radiation in CT Test Harmful?
There are conflicting studies being done to show if the radiation from coronary calcium scans actually increases your risk for cancer. A study by US News shows that there is no standard for the amount of radiation used by all physicians, making it difficult for a conclusive answer to be drawn.
"There has been great interest recently in computed tomography, owing to the fact that the number of CAT scans has grown tremendously in the United States. The National Council on Radiation Protection & Measurement estimates that 70 million are done per year." reports US News.
With the growing number of tests being conducted each year, researchers are becoming more aware of risks for radiation. These tests can be conducted on a variety of machines, and there is no set standard for proper radiation levels. A coronary artery scan helps determine plaque buildup on your arteries, and is important for those considered to be an intermediate risk for heart disease. Physicians should continue to help patients understand their risks and treatment options, but should aware that over-screening may actually hurt the patient's health in the long run.
