- EXPLORE FURTHER: Numerous nations experience surges in cancer cases among younger individuals
A diagnostic procedure employed to identify cancer research indicates this might actually be fueling the disease.
California Researchers discovered that Computerized Tomography (CT) scans, utilizing X-rays for generating comprehensive bodily imagery, might be releasing hazardous amounts of radiation, potentially heightening the likelihood of cancer development.
The investigators examined CT scans conducted in California between 2018 and 2020 and discovered that approximately 103,000 cases of cancer induced by CT scan radiation were anticipated to develop throughout the lifetimes of those exposed.
In 2009, experts approximated substantial levels of radiation exposure. CT scans accounted for two percent of total cancer cases. (approximately 30,000 annually).
Yet, recent findings released this week suggest that 'cancer linked to CT scans might one day make up as much as five percent of all annual new cancer cases.'
CT scans can be crucial diagnostic tools, detecting diseases or internal bleeding at stages where they can still be effectively addressed. These scans are employed not only for diagnosing and tracking conditions such as cancer and bone fractures but also to aid during surgical procedures and assess the effectiveness of specific therapies.
Nevertheless, specialists indicate that these procedures are frequently prescribed and carried out without necessity, possibly due to the financial benefits for the medical facilities since such tests come with high costs, or perhaps owing to physicians’ concerns about overlooking a condition and facing legal action.
Approximately 93 million CT scans are conducted each year, with this figure increasing over time; however, these devices face minimal regulatory oversight, leading to significant variations in radiation doses from one scanner to another.
Professor Dr Rebecca Smith-Bindman, who works at the UCSF medical school, was involved in both the 2009 study and the recent research as one of the contributors.
Earlier, she stated: "It's unimaginable. We continue to perform additional and more CT scans, yet the radiation levels keeps increasing."
Dr Smith-Bindman stated that the difference between two devices can result in one machine subjecting patients to radiation doses up to 10 to 15 times higher compared to the other.
She stated: "The differences are substantial with variations reaching up to ten times between doses, even when treating patients for identical medical issues."
Exposure to radiation is quantified in units called millisieverts (mSv), indicating the quantity of radiation taken up by the body.
Individuals encounter tiny levels of radiation daily either from their surrounding environment or activities such as air travel.
A research paper from 2007 featured in The New England Journal of Medicine noted that even though the dangers posed to an individual by CT scans aren’t significant, ‘the rising levels of radiation exposure among people could potentially become a public health concern down the line.’
The researchers indicated that the cancers linked to CT radiation might decrease within the range of 1.5 percent to 2 percent.
A roundtrip flight between New York and Tokyo exposes a person to 0.19 mSv. An x-ray of the stomach emits 0.6 mSv.
Cancers that have previously been linked to radiation include leukemia, breast, colon, bladder, stomach, ovarian, lung and liver cancers, according to the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
In Dr Smith-Bindman's latest study, the researchers discovered that the risk of developing cancers linked to radiation was greater among children, even though adults undergo more CT scans.
The three most common cancers observed in exposed patients were lung cancer - 22,400 cases - colon cancer - 8,700 cases- and leukemia - 7,900 cases.
Both men and women had similar rates of cancer related to computed tomography across various age groups and scan frequencies.
The risk of cancer associated with CT exposure was greatest among individuals in their 60s and smallest for those under 10 years old.
To address the issue, new Medicare rules coming into effect this year will mandate that hospitals and imaging facilities gather and disclose data regarding the levels of radiation produced by their scanning equipment.
The regulations also require a more careful inspection of the dosing, quality and necessity of CT scans.
The updated regulations, released towards the end of the Biden administration’s tenure, will be implemented gradually across hospitals, outpatient facilities, and provider offices over a span of three years. Non-compliance from 2027 onwards may result in penalties for these entities.
The Trump administration has yet to provide any statements regarding their intentions to adhere to, modify, or overturn the recent policies.
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