A new study in the Journal of American Medical Association Internal Medicine found that repeated CT scans increase cancer risk, particularly scans of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis.
- One in 14000 women undergoing mammography may develop cancer due to radiation exposure.
- Ultrasounds and MRIs do not have cancer risks.
- Dental X-ray radiation is 100 times lower than that of CT scans.
Doctors who frequently order CT scans should carefully consider the risks versus benefits and communicate these risks to their patients.
Patients should be aware of these risks and ask their doctors if a CT scan is compulsory in that particular case.