CT scans & cancer risk

A new study has revealed that a full-body CT scan, could increase the risk of cancer mortality.

A new study has revealed that a full-body computed tomography (CT) scan, could increase the risk of cancer mortality.

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According to the study, published in the journal Radiology, the increasing popularity of full-body CT screening has raised concerns regarding the radiation-related cancer mortality risk associated with full-body CT radiation exposure.

"Our research provides definitive evidence that radiation risk is associated with full-body CT scans. The radiation dose from a full-body CT scan is comparable to the doses received by some of the atomic-bomb survivors from Hiroshima and Nagasaki, where there is clear evidence of increased cancer risk," said David J. Brenner, Ph.D., D.Sc., lead author of the study and professor of radiation oncology and public health at Columbia University in New York City.

The study found that a 45-year-old person who underwent one full-body CT screening would have an estimated lifetime cancer mortality risk of approximately 0.08 percent, which would produce cancer in one in 1,200 people. However, a 45-year-old who has annual full-body CT scans for 30 years would accrue an estimated lifetime cancer mortality risk of about 1.9 percent or almost one in 50.

"The risk-benefit equation changes dramatically for adults who are referred for CT exams for medical diagnosis. Diagnostic benefits far outweigh the risks," Dr. Brenner said.

"In addition to the radiation risks demonstrated in this report, elective full-body CT may provide false-positive findings when no disease exists. This typically involves more extensive testing, which is costly and stressful," Dr. Brenner added.

Researchers said that the risk from ongoing, elective CT screenings could be reduced by increasing the time between scans or by starting at a later age.