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What Are The Side Effects Of Getting Excessive CT Scans Done?

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Posted on Mon, 23 Feb 2015
Question: 10-12 total head CTs, 1 CTA head. I have had 7 of these CTs in the past ten years.
8 chest CTs
1 neck CT
3 abdomen CTs
1 kidney CT


Is this considered excessive? What are my cancer risks? What types of cancers am I at risk for developing? What are my brain cancer risks?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Monish De (34 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Brain and lung cancer

Detailed Answer:
Hi

CT scans emit a powerful dose of radiation, in some cases equivalent to about 200 chest X-rays, or the amount most people would be exposed to from natural sources over seven years.

A dose like this can alter the makeup of human tissue and create free radicals, molecules that can wreak havoc on human cells.

Human bodies can often repair that damage but not always.

When they don’t, the damage can lead to cancer that can take from five to 60 years to develop, with risk that also depends on age and lifestyle.

Since you have had so many CT scans you are at risk of cancer.

You have 30 % risk of developing cancer.

You are at risk of developing brain and lung cancer.

You are having 50% risk of developing brain cancer.

Regards

DR DE
Note: For further queries related to kidney problems Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Monish De

Oncologist

Practicing since :2004

Answered : 2229 Questions

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What Are The Side Effects Of Getting Excessive CT Scans Done?

Brief Answer: Brain and lung cancer Detailed Answer: Hi CT scans emit a powerful dose of radiation, in some cases equivalent to about 200 chest X-rays, or the amount most people would be exposed to from natural sources over seven years. A dose like this can alter the makeup of human tissue and create free radicals, molecules that can wreak havoc on human cells. Human bodies can often repair that damage but not always. When they don’t, the damage can lead to cancer that can take from five to 60 years to develop, with risk that also depends on age and lifestyle. Since you have had so many CT scans you are at risk of cancer. You have 30 % risk of developing cancer. You are at risk of developing brain and lung cancer. You are having 50% risk of developing brain cancer. Regards DR DE