A study finds that CT scans could be responsible for 103,000 new cancer cases in the US each year

CT scans may cause 103,000 new cancer cases annually in the US.

: A study from UC San Francisco indicates CT scans could lead to 103,000 new cancer cases each year in the US, equating their risk to alcohol and obesity. Dr. Rebecca Smith-Bindman emphasizes the overlooked dangers of ionizing radiation from CTs, calling for reduced scans and doses. The study, published in JAMA Internal Medicine, used precise methodology involving individualized data from 93 million exams. Dr. Malini Mahendra stresses the need for patient education on CT risks for more informed healthcare choices.

The alarming findings from UC San Francisco suggest that CT scans, a prevalent diagnostic tool, could contribute significantly to cancer risks. In particular, the study highlights potential links to approximately 103,000 new cancer diagnoses in the US each year, which would account for about 5% of all cancer cases. This revelation, reported in JAMA Internal Medicine, underscores the underestimated dangers of ionizing radiation exposure from CT scans, a hazard comparable to those posed by alcohol consumption and excess body weight. The National Institutes of Health funded this pivotal work.

Dr. Rebecca Smith-Bindman, a radiologist and study lead author, insists that while CT scans save lives, the potential harms warrant greater attention. She states, "Given the large volume of CT use in the United States, many cancers could occur in the future if current practices don't change." Smith-Bindman argues for a critical reevaluation of existing protocols, advising reduced scan numbers and lower doses per scan for patient safety.

The study's methodology is noteworthy for its accuracy, relying on more precise and individualized data regarding CT dosage and utilization than previous research. Co-author Dr. Diana Miglioretti, a division chief of biostatistics at UC Davis, notes that this advanced methodology enabled better estimations of radiation-induced cancers. Analyzed data encompassed 93 million CT exams conducted on 61.5 million patients, revealing higher cancer risks across age groups, notably in the youngest patients.

Research points out that adult patients aged 50 to 59 might experience the greatest increases in CT-related cancer cases, projected at 10,400 for women and 9,300 for men. Among adults, the cancers most frequently associated with CT scans include lung, colon, leukemia, bladder, and breast cancer. Conversely, for children, the risks are acute for cancers like thyroid, lung, and breast, with head scans posing the highest dangers for this age group.

The study's authors advocate for improved patient education and transparency concerning the risks of CT scans. Dr. Malini Mahendra stresses, "Few patients and their families are counseled about the risk associated with CT examinations." This study aims to facilitate more informed discussions between clinicians and patients, ensuring better understanding of CT-related cancer risks.

Sources: UC San Francisco, National Institutes of Health, JAMA Internal Medicine

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