Sunday, December 16, 2007

CT Scans contribute to cancer risk?

Computed tomography (CT) scans being used as a diagnostic tool has recently raised alarms due to possibilities of increased cancer risk. It's been a lengthily-debated issue with cell phones before, this new development though is just paradoxical. Allegedly, CT scans expose people to much larger doses of radiation than conventional x-rays.

From 3 million in 1980 to 62 million during the last year, the use of CT scans has grown explosively. These numbers are speaking of US use alone. More alarming is the fact that over 4 million or so CT diagnostic scans are performed on children every year.

While the issue is still being addressed, I personally advise patients to do away with CT scans as much as possible.

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