The use of medical imaging with high-dose radiation — CT scans in particular — has soared in the last 20 years. Our repeated exposure to medical radiation has increased more than sixfold between the 1980s and 2006, according to the National Council on Radiation Protection & Measurements. Some experts project that in the future, between three and five percent of all cancers would result from medical imaging.
This is the area where I always dream to work in the future (I'll always do). But how severe are the adverse effects of it?
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/31/opinion/we-are-giving-ourselves-cancer.html?nl=opinion&emc=edit_ty_20140131&_r=1
Yes Sandeep, the fear of the possible results of CT scans is real. My aunt did her first scan a 79, when she had a stroke. It was essential to scan. My neighbor's daughter did a scan when she was 14; she contracted a disease and was in coma, so the scan was needed to obtain some info. Now she's recovered completely.
So we have to weigh the advantages with the dangers. I haven't had any scan done, thanks be to God.
Sandeep
I don’t think we have an easy answer to this. The amount of radiation involved with CT scan is more and generally there is about a one in 300 chance of CT scan contributing to cancer. However it is faster. Depending on the type of diagnosis needed these have become a necessity and therefore cannot be completely avoided. If the medical practitioners uses his judgment and decides judicially to have a scan, I will not have a problem. I think it is a great tool for medical profession, and we should give it its due recognition as such.
But we hear and see a large number of cases where doctors prescribe a CT scan because of many reasons other than medical, which is objectionable. It would therefore be prudent on the part of a patient to get full information as to why a scan is prescribed and then take a decision based on the requirements by exploring all options. However, in emergencies you may not have much of an option except follow the attending medical practitioner.
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