CT Scan Safety: What You Need to Know
Recent reports of the dangers associated with overuse of computed tomography (CT) scans has many patients concerned about receiving the diagnostic tests. But does that mean you should refuse to have a scan if your doctor prescribes one, or if you feel it could be helpful? According to some physicians and researchers familiar with recent safety data, absolutely not.
Studies published in late 2009 showed a correlation between the development of cancer in the future and the use of specific types of CT scans, with risks significantly increased for specific patient populations. But physicians who reviewed the data are quick to point out that refusing these effective and highly detailed scans can have much more dire consequences and pose much more serious health risks. Like any diagnostic procedure that involves radiation (including x-rays), CT scans do pose some risks to patients undergoing them. But the scans have also resulted in diagnosing and subsequent effective treatment of significant health conditions, including life-threatening cancers.
The use of CT scans is regulated by health and governing agencies, and newly proposed regulations are aimed at providing additional guidance of the use of these scans. Today’s physicians are aware of the risks posed by diagnostic treatments, including CT scans, x-rays, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ultrasound and other tests, and are trained to weigh the risks of diagnosis with the benefits of identifying, diagnosing and treating potentially deadly underlying health risks. If your physician prescribed a CT scan, don’t ignore the advice: ask about the potential risks and side effects, as well as the benefits of having the scan, and discuss potential alternatives. Early diagnosis provided by CT scans can help identify serious medical conditions that may otherwise go unnoticed, and undergoing a scan can provide critical information that can help you lead a happy, healthy life.
