From the Popular Press: What Your Patients are Reading:

The radiation exposure from CT scans accumulates over time, and if too high, can raise a patient’s risk for cancer. CT scans are a useful imaging tool to make diagnoses, but are sometimes overused. In a study of over 31,000 people, 33% had 5 or more CT scans, 5% had more than 22 scans, and 1% had more than 38 scans. Those who had more than 38 CT scans had a cancer risk about 12% higher than the average US cancer risk rate. The benefits of a scan done correctly and for the right reasons generally outweigh any associated risks, and most patients need not be concerned about their radiation levels. However, patients who undergo repeated scans should discuss possible alternatives with their doctor. Imaging techniques such as ultrasound and X-rays deliver significantly lower doses of radiation.

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