Are You Being Exposed to Too Much Radiation?

Oh, the wonders of technology. Because of advancements in the medical field, a number of new tests are now available that make diagnosing disease easier. Tests ranging from computerized tomography (CT scans) to myocardial perfusion imaging are now carried out daily at busy hospitals and outpatient centers. With the easy availability of these tests, it’s not surprising that they’re being ordered more frequently. Unfortunately, there’s one drawback to all this technology – the risk of too much radiation.

The Risk of Too Much Radiation

Many people who are scheduled to undergo a CT scan stop to think about the dose of radiation they’ll be receiving; and it’s unlikely that this will be discussed in detail prior to the procedure. In recent years the emphasis has been on getting higher resolution pictures which involves even greater exposure to radiation. It might surprise you to learn that a chest CT exposes a person to 580 milli rems of radiation. In contrast, radiation exposure from a chest x-ray is only around 10 milli rems. Even more disturbing is the fact that several repeat CT scans may be needed in follow-up which greatly increases the cumulative exposure to radiation.

The Risk of Too Much Radiation in Children

The risk of too much radiation is concerning enough in adults, but the risk is even greater in children whose cells are multiplying at a faster rate and who are more susceptible to mutations that could lead to cancer later in life. It’s estimated that the additional rise in mortality associated with use of CT scans in children could be anywhere from one in one thousand to one in a hundred. If a child receives multiple CT scans, the risk rises proportionately.

More CT Scanners, More Scans?

There’s little doubt that there are situations where CT scans and other tests can be lifesaving; but are nuclear tests being overprescribed? Some studies have shown that the number of CT scans and other nuclear studies ordered by doctors goes up based on their accessibility. In other words when doctors have easy access to facilities that do these tests, they’re more likely to order them. This isn’t always good medicine for the patient.

Protect Yourself Against Too Much Radiation

What can you do to protect yourself against too much radiation from a nuclear study? First, always make sure the test is actually needed and there isn’t another test that can make the diagnosis without radiation exposure.

Second, if your child needs a CT scan or other study involving radiation, make sure the radiologist uses a radiation protocol designed specifically for children. The amount of radiation used should be based on a child’s size and weight.

Third, if you’re a female use a facility that uses a breast shield placed over the chest and breast area during the scan. Studies have shown that these shields reduce radiation exposure to the breasts by up to seventy-three percent without affecting the quality of the image. They’re relatively new, but are available in some centers; and it’s a good way to protect sensitive breast tissue from the effects of too much radiation. One chest CT scan exposes a woman to as much radiation as ten to twenty-five mammograms – a fact that shouldn’t be taken lightly.  

The bottom line? Sometimes a CT scan or other nuclear study is necessary, but always make sure it’s medically necessary and that you take steps to reduce your exposure to radiation.