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Medical Imaging Technique May Elevate Cancer Risk, Study Suggests
A common medical test utilized for cancer detection may inadvertently contribute to the development of the disease, new research indicates. This study raises concerns about the widespread use of computerized tomography (CT) scans and their potential link to radiation-induced cancers.
Study Estimates Significant Number of Future Cancers
Researchers in California estimate that over 100,000 new cancer cases could stem from CT scans performed in 2023 alone. Their findings suggest that these scans, which employ X-rays to generate comprehensive body imagery, emit potentially hazardous levels of radiation that might encourage tumor growth. This information highlights a critical need to re-evaluate the utilization and safety protocols surrounding CT scans in medical practice.
Radiation Exposure and Cancer Development
Earlier investigations in 2009 approximated that high radiation levels from CT scans were responsible for approximately two percent of all cancer diagnoses, translating to around 30,000 cases annually. However, this recent study published this week suggests a more concerning figure. The updated estimation indicates that ‘CT scan-associated cancer’ could eventually account for as much as five percent of all new cancer diagnoses each year, marking a significant potential increase.
Prevalence of CT Scans and Regulatory Concerns
Approximately 93 million CT scans are conducted each year, and this number is on an upward trajectory. Despite the increasing frequency of these medical imaging tests, there remains limited regulation concerning the scanners, leading to significant variations in radiation emission levels across different machines. This lack of standardization presents a considerable challenge for ensuring patient safety and minimizing cancer risk.
Projected Cases of Radiation-Induced Cancers
The research further estimates that throughout their lifetimes, about 103,000 radiation-induced cancer cases are projected to arise from CT exams conducted in 2023. This projection underscores the long-term implications of current CT scan usage and the potential public health impact.
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Benefits and Drawbacks of CT Scans
CT scans are undeniably valuable diagnostic tools, capable of saving lives by detecting diseases or internal bleeding at treatable stages. They are also essential for diagnosing and monitoring various medical conditions, including cancer, bone injuries, and for guiding surgical procedures and assessing treatment effectiveness.
Despite their benefits, experts caution that CT scans are sometimes excessively prescribed and performed without necessity. This overuse may be driven by financial incentives for healthcare facilities, given the high cost of these procedures, or by physicians’ concerns about overlooking diagnoses and facing potential legal action.
Cancer Types and Body Regions Most Affected
The study identified the highest projected numbers of adult cancer cases linked to CT scans of the abdomen and pelvis, closely followed by chest CT scans. Across all patients, the most frequently associated cancer types were lung, colon, leukemia, and bladder cancers.
Among female patients, breast cancer was notably the second most prevalent cancer type associated with CT scans.
Expert Opinions on Radiation Levels
Dr. Rebecca Smith-Bindman, a professor at the University of California-San Francisco medical school and a lead author of the study, has previously voiced concerns about the increasing use and radiation doses from CT scans. She has stated, ‘It’s unfathomable. We keep doing more and more CTs, and the doses keep going up.’
Dr. Smith-Bindman highlighted the significant discrepancies in radiation dosages between different machines, noting that some devices could expose patients to radiation levels 10 to 15 times higher than others. She emphasized, ‘There is very large variation and the doses vary by an order of magnitude — tenfold, not 10 percent different — for patients seen for the same clinical problem.”
Understanding Radiation Exposure
Radiation exposure is quantified in millisieverts (mSv), a unit that measures the amount of radiation absorbed by the body. Individuals are continuously exposed to low levels of background radiation from the environment and activities like air travel.
For context, a roundtrip flight between New York and Tokyo exposes a person to approximately 0.19 mSv, while a stomach X-ray emits about 0.6 mSv.
Specific Cancers Identified in the Study
In Dr. Smith-Bindman’s latest research, lung cancer was the most common cancer observed in patients exposed to CT scans, with an estimated 22,400 cases. This was followed by colon cancer, with approximately 8,700 cases, and leukemia, with around 7,900 cases.
Cancer Risks in Different Age Groups
Interestingly, estimated radiation-induced cancer risks were found to be higher in children, despite adults generally receiving more CT scans. Men and women showed comparable rates of CT scan-related cancers across all age groups and scan frequencies.
Regulatory Actions to Address Radiation Concerns
Cancer risk associated with CT exposure was found to be highest in individuals in their 60s and lowest for children under 10 years old.
In an effort to address the potential risks, new Medicare regulations have been implemented this year, mandating hospitals and imaging centers to collect and share data regarding the radiation emitted by their scanners. These regulations also stipulate more rigorous scrutiny of CT scan dosing, quality, and medical necessity.
New Regulations and Enforcement
These new regulations, initiated in the final weeks of the Biden administration, are being implemented over a three-year period in hospitals and outpatient clinics. Providers who fail to comply with these regulations may face financial penalties starting in 2027. As of now, the current administration has not issued any statements regarding their plans to continue, modify, or reverse these new policies.