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Does CT Scan Radiation Increase The Risk Of Cancer?

Posted on Sat, 4 Jul 2015

Question: How much do cat scans increase your risk of cancer??

Answered by Dr. Indu Kumar (54 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
In doesn't generally increases the risk of cancer.

Detailed Answer:
Hello

Yes,CT scan radiation are hazardous and this modality uses ionizing radiation.
In generally doesn't increases the risk of cancer.Radiation dose delivered by CT machine is far less than maximum allowable safe dose.
Now a days,mostly spiral technique is used and they deliver less radiation to patient.
There is no such limitation of CT scan,it depend upon clinical requirement.

Get well soon.
Hope I have answered your question.
Further queries are most welcome

Take Care
Dr.Indu XXXXXXX

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Indu Kumar (1 hour later)

Hello, we'll I was just concerned because I am only 27 and within the past 11 months I have had a barrium swallow, chest, abdomen, and pelvis cat scan and like 2 chest xrays. To me, it seems like a lot of radiation and I a, very concerned about this radiation causing cancer in the future.

Answered by Dr. Indu Kumar (9 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Don't worry about radiation hazard,you are safe.

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Sorry for replying late

Please don't worry about future cancer.
Total dose due to mentioned investigations are well below the maximum allowable safe dose.
In a normal adult,up to 30 mSV radiation dose is considered safe at a time and 50 mSv is considered safe in a year.

Chest and abdominal CT scan can deliver approximately 7.0 mSV and 8.0 mSV of radiation to the patient respectively.
Pelvis CT scan and barium swallow can deliver 6.0 mSV and chest x-ray can deliver 0.1 mSv.
All together,approximate dose delivered is 27.1 mSv which is far less than maximum allowable safe dose.
So,don't worry at all.

Please rate my answer if you are satisfied.
Get well soon.
Hope I have answered your question.
Further queries are most welcome.

Take Care
Dr.Indu XXXXXXX

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Indu Kumar (32 minutes later)

Ok well I have just been scared because I am only 27 and I know that radiation is bad for lungs, breasts, and the thyroid. I googled information and it said that just one cat scan can triple the risk of cancer.

Answered by Dr. Indu Kumar (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
It may only increases the risk in few people.

Detailed Answer:
Hello

It is right that CT increases the risk of cancer in few people and chances are graded as low,very low like that.It is only chance that in whole population,some may get cancer but it is not universally applied to whole population.
We can say that generally CT doesn't causes cancer but there is always a risk.

Yes,organs like thyroid,breasts are more susceptible to radiation.

Please rate my answer if you are satisfied.
Get well soon.
Hope I have answered your question.
Further queries are most welcome.

Take Care
Dr.Indu XXXXXXX

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Neel Kudchadkar

Follow up: Dr. Indu Kumar (7 minutes later)

But I should not get cancer from this radiation then??

Answered by Dr. Indu Kumar (9 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Don't worry.Chances are very low.

Detailed Answer:
Hello

Don't worry.Chances are very low.

Please rate my answer if you are satisfied.
Get well soon.
Hope I have answered your question.
Further queries are most welcome.

Take Care
Dr.Indu XXXXXXX

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Indu Kumar (8 minutes later)

If I were to get cancer from this what cancers and how long would it take for them to form?

Answered by Dr. Indu Kumar (15 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
It may take 5-60 years to develop cancer.

Detailed Answer:
Hello

It may increase the risk of ovary,bone,lung,thyroid,breast cancer etc.
It may take 5-60 years to develop it.It is a complex process and time of occurrence of cancer depend upon many things like age,genetic susceptibility,life style etc.

Please rate my answer if you are satisfied.
Get well soon.
Hope I have answered your question.
Further queries are most welcome.

Take Care
Dr.Indu XXXXXXX

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Indu Kumar (6 minutes later)

So I won't get cancer from those imaging tests

Answered by Dr. Indu Kumar (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Chances are very low.

Detailed Answer:
Hello

Chances of cancer are very very low.

Please rate my answer if you are satisfied.
Get well soon.

Hope I have answered your question.
Further queries are most welcome

Take Care
Dr.Indu XXXXXXX

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj