A warning about CT Scans and cancer risk

Over 50 years ago, healthcare practitioners began using computed tomography, or CT scans, to detect diseases and injuries. Alarmingly, a study published this week found that the radiation patients are exposed to can cause cancer.

Radiologist and professor Dr. Rebecca Smith-Bindman, the study’s lead author, says the amount of radiation in a scan can vary drastically and is controlled by the operator, not the machine itself. A brain scan, for example, can emit the equivalent of between 200 and 1600 dental X-rays, depending on how many times the patient is scanned. Smith-Bindman says multiple images are often unnecessary and that patients should speak with their doctor about the necessity of the scan and potential alternatives.

In this article from NPR, you’ll learn more about the study’s findings, what questions to ask, and information to gather from your doctor should a CT scan be recommended.
https://www.npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2025/04/16/g-s1-60488/ct-...