Radiation from CT scans has higher risk of cancer than previously thought, study says
CT scans are one of the most effective medical tools available today, providing an in-depth look inside the human body to spot tumors, detect brain bleeds and other ailments.
But a new study suggests the cancer risk from radiation emitted by the CT machine could be higher than previously thought — up to 103,000 cases from the 93 million scans performed in 2023.
"If current practices persist, CT-associated cancer could eventually account for 5% of all new cancer diagnoses annually," the authors, who work at the University of California San Francisco, Davis and other schools, wrote in the study published earlier this week in JAMA Internal Medicine.
Computed tomography (CT) scans use ionizing radiation to show cross-sectional images of a person’s body, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. There is a higher exposure to radiation when undergoing a CT scan when compared with an X-ray, but it provides a more detailed view of organs, blood vessels, soft tissues and bones.
Local experts said patients should be aware of the radiation risks that come with using CT scans but not shy away from the technology, which can ultimately be lifesaving.
"I think the message for patients is really the same as it’s been. Everything in medicine — especially when it comes to tests and examinations — is a risk, benefit," said Dr. Helise Coopersmith, vice chair of quality for radiology at Northwell Health.
"CT is a big factor in declining cancer rates," she said. "It can diagnose all types of medical pathologies. So it leads to better life expectancies, and a decrease in hospital mortality rates, unnecessary surgeries and unnecessary hospitalizations."
Coopersmith said patients should advocate for themselves and ask their health provider questions including: How is this going to help make a diagnosis for me or help in my treatment plan? Is there any other type of imaging study that can also make this diagnosis or any other type of test that can be done?
The American College of Radiology, which represents more than 43,000 radiologists, nuclear medicine physicians and medical physicists, pointed out that the researchers worked with statistical modeling studies and not actual patient outcomes.
"There are no published studies directly linking CT scans (even multiple CT scans) to cancer," the organization said in a statement posted on its website. "No medical test, including those utilizing ionizing radiation, should be performed unless the medical benefits gained from the test clearly outweigh any associated risk."
About 61 million patients in the United States had 93 million CT examinations in 2023, according to the authors. About 96% were adults and 4% children. While the risks were higher than in children, adults accounted for more of the radiation-induced cancers, according to their analysis. Lung cancer and colon cancer were the most common.
They also said CT use is 30% higher now than it was in 2007 and while some of that is due to the aging population, they also attributed it to a growth in "low-value, potentially unnecessary imaging."
Coopersmith pointed out that the radiation doses in CT scans have "decreased dramatically" over the last 15 years.
"The equipment is getting much, much better," she said. "This is something that is on the forefront of radiology departments across the nation, to keep trying to decrease the doses as much as possible."
CT scans are one of the most effective medical tools available today, providing an in-depth look inside the human body to spot tumors, detect brain bleeds and other ailments.
But a new study suggests the cancer risk from radiation emitted by the CT machine could be higher than previously thought — up to 103,000 cases from the 93 million scans performed in 2023.
"If current practices persist, CT-associated cancer could eventually account for 5% of all new cancer diagnoses annually," the authors, who work at the University of California San Francisco, Davis and other schools, wrote in the study published earlier this week in JAMA Internal Medicine.
Computed tomography (CT) scans use ionizing radiation to show cross-sectional images of a person’s body, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. There is a higher exposure to radiation when undergoing a CT scan when compared with an X-ray, but it provides a more detailed view of organs, blood vessels, soft tissues and bones.
WHAT NEWSDAY FOUND
- A new study suggests the cancer risk from radiation emitted by the CT machine during a scan could be higher than previously thought — up to 103,000 cases from the 93 million scans performed in 2023.
- Local experts said patients should be aware of the radiation risks that come with using CT scans but not shy away from the technology, which can ultimately be lifesaving.
- About 61 million patients in the United States had 93 million CT examinations in 2023, according to the study authors.
Local experts said patients should be aware of the radiation risks that come with using CT scans but not shy away from the technology, which can ultimately be lifesaving.
"I think the message for patients is really the same as it’s been. Everything in medicine — especially when it comes to tests and examinations — is a risk, benefit," said Dr. Helise Coopersmith, vice chair of quality for radiology at Northwell Health.
"CT is a big factor in declining cancer rates," she said. "It can diagnose all types of medical pathologies. So it leads to better life expectancies, and a decrease in hospital mortality rates, unnecessary surgeries and unnecessary hospitalizations."
Coopersmith said patients should advocate for themselves and ask their health provider questions including: How is this going to help make a diagnosis for me or help in my treatment plan? Is there any other type of imaging study that can also make this diagnosis or any other type of test that can be done?
The American College of Radiology, which represents more than 43,000 radiologists, nuclear medicine physicians and medical physicists, pointed out that the researchers worked with statistical modeling studies and not actual patient outcomes.
"There are no published studies directly linking CT scans (even multiple CT scans) to cancer," the organization said in a statement posted on its website. "No medical test, including those utilizing ionizing radiation, should be performed unless the medical benefits gained from the test clearly outweigh any associated risk."
About 61 million patients in the United States had 93 million CT examinations in 2023, according to the authors. About 96% were adults and 4% children. While the risks were higher than in children, adults accounted for more of the radiation-induced cancers, according to their analysis. Lung cancer and colon cancer were the most common.
They also said CT use is 30% higher now than it was in 2007 and while some of that is due to the aging population, they also attributed it to a growth in "low-value, potentially unnecessary imaging."
Coopersmith pointed out that the radiation doses in CT scans have "decreased dramatically" over the last 15 years.
"The equipment is getting much, much better," she said. "This is something that is on the forefront of radiology departments across the nation, to keep trying to decrease the doses as much as possible."
Lisa joined Newsday as a staff writer in 2019. She previously worked at amNewYork, the New York Daily News and the Asbury Park Press covering politics, government and general assignment.
SARRA SOUNDS OFF: Interview with Pat-Med's Jayden Stroman On the latest episode of "Sarra Sounds Off," an interview with Patchogue-Medford pitcher Jayden Stroman, plus Long Island's top football scholar-athletes are honored.
SARRA SOUNDS OFF: Interview with Pat-Med's Jayden Stroman On the latest episode of "Sarra Sounds Off," an interview with Patchogue-Medford pitcher Jayden Stroman, plus Long Island's top football scholar-athletes are honored.
