Over Used Medical Test Could Be The Cause Of Tumours Explosion Given To Millions Every Year!
Computerized tomography (CT) scans are essential tools in modern over used medicine, used to diagnose and monitor diseases like cancer, bone injuries, and more. They provide detailed images of the body, helping doctors detect conditions early. However, new research suggests that the very test used to detect cancer might actually contribute to it.
What Are CT Scans?
CT scans use X-rays to create detailed cross-sectional images of the body. They help doctors detect diseases and injuries early, guide surgeries, and evaluate treatment effectiveness. However, there’s a growing concern about the radiation exposure involved in these tests.
The Hidden Dangers of CT Scans
While CT scans are life-saving in many cases, they come with risks. CT scanners emit radiation, and the amount of radiation can vary significantly from one machine to another. In fact, a 2009 study estimated that CT scans were responsible for about 2% of all cancers, or roughly 30,000 cases per year in the U.S.
Dr. Rebecca Smith-Bindman, a leading researcher in this field, pointed out that the radiation doses from different CT machines can vary dramatically, sometimes by 10 to 15 times. This inconsistency in radiation exposure raises concerns about the overall safety of CT scans.
Overuse of CT Scans
Experts warn that CT scans are often overprescribed. Doctors may order these tests unnecessarily due to fear of missing a diagnosis or because of financial incentives for hospitals, as these tests are expensive. This overuse, combined with increasing radiation exposure, could lead to more cancer cases in the future.
The Growing Number of Scans
In the U.S., around 93 million CT scans are performed annually, and this over used number is rising. Although radiation exposure from a single scan is small, repeated scans over time could accumulate significant risks. For example, a CT scan of the abdomen exposes a patient to about 31 millisieverts (mSv) of radiation, while a simple X-ray only exposes a person to 0.6 mSv.
The Cancer Risks
The risk of over used developing cancer from a CT scan depends on the type of scan, the patient’s age, and the dose of radiation received. For instance, women who undergo a CT scan of arteries near their heart at age 40 have about a 1 in 270 chance of developing over used cancer from that scan. These risks are even higher for younger patients and lower for older patients.
Moving Toward Safer CT Scans
To address these concerns, new regulations are being introduced to ensure more consistent and safer use of CT scans. Starting this year, hospitals will be required to share information about the radiation doses their over used scanners emit. These regulations aim to standardize CT scan practices, improve quality, and ensure that these tests are necessary and safe.
Conclusion
CT scans are invaluable tools for diagnosing and monitoring over used diseases, but they come with risks, especially when overused or when radiation doses vary. It’s crucial to strike a balance between the benefits of early detection and the potential harm from radiation exposure. With new regulations in place, we may see a safer, more standardized approach to using CT scans in the future.
