Is this standard medical test doing more harm than good? Here's what a study says
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In the world of medicine, modern diagnostic tools are hailed for their ability to provide life-saving insights into our health.
These tools aid in diagnosing and monitoring a range of conditions and assist doctors in assessing treatments.
However, a concerning shadow loomed over one of modern medicine's marvels, as research suggested that it could inadvertently contribute to declining health.
The lack of regulation surrounding the Computerised Tomography (CT) scan machines became the centre of contention and discussion.
These machines, often used to detect cancer, emit radiation, which could vary significantly.
However, the lack of regulation among machines became a concern among medical experts.
A 2009 study estimated that high doses of radiation from CT scans could be responsible for approximately 2 per cent of all cancers.
This percentage could immediately translate to roughly 30,000 cases annually.
As the number of CT scan examinations continues to climb annually, the potential for radiation-related cancers could rise as well.
CT scan machines are powerful tools that can detect diseases or internal bleeding early enough for effective treatment.
Yet, several experts also believe that these tests are sometimes over-prescribed and performed unnecessarily.
The reasons for this overuse may range from the financial incentives for hospitals to doctors' fears of missing a diagnosis and facing legal repercussions.
Dr Rebecca Smith-Bindman, a professor at the University of California-San Francisco medical school, shared her worries about the increasing reliance on CT scans.
'It's unfathomable. We keep doing more and more CTs, and the doses keep going up,' Dr Smith-Bindman shared.
She also highlighted the stark differences in radiation doses between machines, with some exposing patients to 10 to 15 times higher doses than others for the same clinical problem.
Radiation exposure is measured in millisieverts (mSv), a unit that quantifies the amount absorbed by the body.
While we are all exposed to small amounts of radiation daily from the environment, the doses of radiation from CT scans are significantly higher.
The risks associated with CT scans are also not uniform across all demographics.
The 2009 study found that one in 270 women and one in 600 men who underwent a CT scan of the arteries near their heart could develop cancer from that scan.
These findings were found among individuals aged 40.
The risks are higher for younger patients and could decrease as people age.
Cancers linked to radiation exposure included leukaemia, breast, colon, bladder, stomach, ovarian, lung, and liver cancers.
This connection underscored the urgent need for greater standardisation and regulation of CT scan radiation doses across medical institutions.
In response to these concerns, new Medicare regulations have been introduced.
These new rules should now require hospitals and imaging centres to collect and share information about the radiation emitted by their scanners.
These regulations also mandated a more thorough inspection of the dosing, quality, and necessity of CT scans.
Providers who fail to comply with these rules by 2027 could face massive fines.
As we navigate the complexities of healthcare, it's crucial to be informed about the potential risks and benefits of medical tests like CT scans.
While CT scans can be life-saving, they are not without risk.
If you or a loved one is recommended for a CT scan, it's essential to discuss with your healthcare provider the necessity of the test and the potential risks involved.
Have you had experiences with CT scans that you would like to share? How do you weigh the benefits against the risks when it comes to medical testing? Your insights could be invaluable to others, so please share your thoughts with us in the comments below.
These tools aid in diagnosing and monitoring a range of conditions and assist doctors in assessing treatments.
However, a concerning shadow loomed over one of modern medicine's marvels, as research suggested that it could inadvertently contribute to declining health.
The lack of regulation surrounding the Computerised Tomography (CT) scan machines became the centre of contention and discussion.
These machines, often used to detect cancer, emit radiation, which could vary significantly.
However, the lack of regulation among machines became a concern among medical experts.
CT scans detect a wide array of diseases and internal bleeding for immediate treatment. Image Credit: Pexels/MART Production
A 2009 study estimated that high doses of radiation from CT scans could be responsible for approximately 2 per cent of all cancers.
This percentage could immediately translate to roughly 30,000 cases annually.
As the number of CT scan examinations continues to climb annually, the potential for radiation-related cancers could rise as well.
CT scan machines are powerful tools that can detect diseases or internal bleeding early enough for effective treatment.
Yet, several experts also believe that these tests are sometimes over-prescribed and performed unnecessarily.
The reasons for this overuse may range from the financial incentives for hospitals to doctors' fears of missing a diagnosis and facing legal repercussions.
Dr Rebecca Smith-Bindman, a professor at the University of California-San Francisco medical school, shared her worries about the increasing reliance on CT scans.
'It's unfathomable. We keep doing more and more CTs, and the doses keep going up,' Dr Smith-Bindman shared.
She also highlighted the stark differences in radiation doses between machines, with some exposing patients to 10 to 15 times higher doses than others for the same clinical problem.
Radiation exposure is measured in millisieverts (mSv), a unit that quantifies the amount absorbed by the body.
While we are all exposed to small amounts of radiation daily from the environment, the doses of radiation from CT scans are significantly higher.
The risks associated with CT scans are also not uniform across all demographics.
The 2009 study found that one in 270 women and one in 600 men who underwent a CT scan of the arteries near their heart could develop cancer from that scan.
These findings were found among individuals aged 40.
The risks are higher for younger patients and could decrease as people age.
Cancers linked to radiation exposure included leukaemia, breast, colon, bladder, stomach, ovarian, lung, and liver cancers.
This connection underscored the urgent need for greater standardisation and regulation of CT scan radiation doses across medical institutions.
In response to these concerns, new Medicare regulations have been introduced.
These new rules should now require hospitals and imaging centres to collect and share information about the radiation emitted by their scanners.
Providers who fail to comply with these rules by 2027 could face massive fines.
As we navigate the complexities of healthcare, it's crucial to be informed about the potential risks and benefits of medical tests like CT scans.
While CT scans can be life-saving, they are not without risk.
If you or a loved one is recommended for a CT scan, it's essential to discuss with your healthcare provider the necessity of the test and the potential risks involved.
