CT scans: benefits vs cancer risks

CT scans can be vital in diagnosing disease, but they do come with small increased risks because of the radiation exposure.

A recent US study found that  if current practices persist, CT-associated cancer could account for up to five per cent of all new diagnoses.

So what can be done to drive down the risk? One radiologist thinks mandating informed consent before a scan is done would be a good start.

Guest/s

• Dr John de Campo, radiologist and Associate Professor in Radiology at the University of Melbourne 

References

• Projected Lifetime Cancer Risks From Current Computed Tomography Imaging
• Study on current CT scanning practices and the incidence of future cancers

Response from the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists:

RANZCR supports increased access to MRI where appropriate for the patient’s clinical condition.

RANZCR supports the ALARA principle, which means As Low As Reasonably Achievable in relation to radiation dose reduction. RANZCR advocates for appropriate use of CT and other imaging – i.e. imaging should only be used where valid clinical indications are present. In this way, use of radiation and other risks from imaging procedures is minimised.

RANZCR supports informed patient consent and has a guideline, Medical Imaging Informed Consent Guidelines.