A new study published in JAMA Internal Medicine has estimated that exposure to computed tomography (CT) scans may lead to over 100,000 future cancers worldwide. The study used a risk model that takes into account radiation doses and projection of cancer incidence to estimate the lifetime cancer risk from CT scans.
According to the study, among an estimated 62 million patients who underwent 93 million CT examinations in 2023, approximately 103,000 radiation-induced cancers were projected to result from these examinations. The risks were higher in children and adolescents, but higher CT utilization in adults accounted for most of the radiation-induced cancers.
The study found that if utilization and radiation doses remain unchanged in future decades, CT could be responsible for approximately 5% of cancers diagnosed annually. This would place CT on par with other significant risk factors, such as alcohol consumption and excess body weight.
However, the researchers note that there are ways to reduce the reliance on CT scans, including incorporating diagnostic algorithms at the point of care, offering alternative imaging solutions like MRI and ultrasound, reducing radiation dose, and educating clinicians about avoiding low-value testing.
The American College of Radiology (ACR) issued a statement saying that while the study’s findings are concerning, there is no direct evidence linking CT scans to cancer. The ACR emphasized the importance of discussing the benefits and risks of medical imaging with healthcare providers.
Overall, the study highlights the need for caution and careful consideration when it comes to CT scans and their potential impact on human health.
Source: https://www.medpagetoday.com/hematologyoncology/othercancers/115112