According to a series of recent studies, the use of these diagnostic CT scans across the United States has more than doubled. It is about a 30% increase since 2007. In the US, as of 2023, about 93 million CT scans are done yearly, affecting about 61.5 million Americans. Imaging tools like CT and MR are incredibly important for diagnosing life-threatening conditions. What people fail to realize are the health risks associated with more radiation exposure with these scans.
In fact, CT scans account for an estimated 5% of all cancer diagnoses each year in the U.S., according to experts. This would mean about 103,000 additional cancer diagnoses annually. This sobering statistic drives home an important point. Patients and providers should consider the risks associated with these widely used diagnostic procedures.
Increasing Prevalence of CT Scans
The increase in the use of CT scans illustrates their importance in today’s standard of care. These imaging tests give quick, noninvasive, and highly detailed pictures of many health conditions, making it possible to quickly diagnose and treat diseases.
In 2023, healthcare providers will perform nearly 93 million CT scans nationwide. This is a big jump from recent years. Improvements in technology have fueled this increase. Because of this, there is an increased dependence on imaging to identify injuries and track diseases.
This increased utilization comes with concerns over the long-term effects of increased radiation exposure. The American College of Radiology considers CT scans a key part of care in certain high-stakes medical scenarios. Ultimately, patients need to be more cautious and engaged in fighting for their health.
Potential Cancer Risks
The potential harms associated with CT scanning are considerable and justifiably capture our focus. The study indicates that around 5% of all cancers diagnosed each year in the U.S. could be attributed to CT scans. Historical accumulations of radiation from these imaging procedures are projected to result in an excess of around 103,000 cancers. Over half of these cases impact key organs—including the lung, colon, bladder, and breast.
Since children are especially susceptible to the dangers that CT scans pose this is especially alarming. In fact, babies who are scanned before their first birthdays are up to ten times more likely to go on to develop cancer than older patients. Now adults account for more than 90% of the estimated cancer cases. About 93,000 adults are estimated to be at risk of developing cancer as a result of their CT scan exposure.
“For something to account for 5% of all cancers is pretty significant,” – Smith-Bindman
The study highlights a concerning trend: younger individuals face higher cancer risks associated with CT scans. Healthcare professionals have come to rely on these diagnostic resources. As we lean into their promise, it’s critical to weigh their benefits against possible downstream harm to public health — especially on a population level.
Best Practices for Patients
More and more patients are concerned about the risks associated with CT scans. Now, more than ever, experts are calling on patients to be active participants in their healthcare decision making process. Physicians such as Dr. Patricia Nguyen emphasize the importance of having patients serve as advocates. This is to make sure patients receive needed medical imaging while avoiding unnecessary radiation exposure.
“The patient needs to be their own advocate,” – Patricia Nguyen, MD
So curbing unnecessary testing is one of the best ways to reduce any cancer risk from CT scans. To help avoid unnecessary radiation, Dr. Smith-Bindman recommends that patients be more judicious about when and how they utilize imaging tests. In doing so, they can minimize the chances of harmful impact.
Advancements in technology have had an essential impact on making the modality safer during CT imaging. Experts including Dr. Wintermark agree that specialized teams are necessary to run every CT scanner. They are the gatekeepers to making sure protocols are being adhered to, thus reducing radiation doses and maximizing diagnostic capability.
“Behind each CT scanner, there’s a team of experts,” – Wintermark
Leave a Reply