Report Highlights the Importance of Avoiding Unnecessary Computed Tomography Scans
By MedImaging International staff writers Posted on 02 Mar 2015 |
Image: An image from a CT scan (Photo courtesy of Consumer Reports).
A report claims that approximately one third of the 80 million CT exams performed in the US every year serve no medical purpose.
The report based on data collected in a survey of 1,019 adults, investigated the use of Computed Tomography (CT) exams in the US, and was carried out by a large consumer protection organization. The report stated that only one sixth of the adults surveyed were warned by their physicians about the radiation risks, and that one CT scan exposes a person to a radiation dose equivalent to 200 chest X-rays.
The report was release by the Consumer Reports (USA), an organization that helps consumers make better informed choices and campaigns for safer products and fair market practices.
According to Consumer Reports, part of the problem is that doctors who own their own CT equipment tend to order more scans for patients than doctors that do not have their own scanner. The organization suggests that patients should always ask their doctor whether an ultrasound or Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) could be used instead of a CT exam.
Consumer Reports medical advisor, Dr. Orly Avitzur, noted, "It's estimated that CT scans may be responsible for at least two percent of future cancers in the United States, resulting in fifteen thousand deaths a year. So it's clearly critical to avoid unnecessary CT scans."
Related Links:
Consumer Reports
The report based on data collected in a survey of 1,019 adults, investigated the use of Computed Tomography (CT) exams in the US, and was carried out by a large consumer protection organization. The report stated that only one sixth of the adults surveyed were warned by their physicians about the radiation risks, and that one CT scan exposes a person to a radiation dose equivalent to 200 chest X-rays.
The report was release by the Consumer Reports (USA), an organization that helps consumers make better informed choices and campaigns for safer products and fair market practices.
According to Consumer Reports, part of the problem is that doctors who own their own CT equipment tend to order more scans for patients than doctors that do not have their own scanner. The organization suggests that patients should always ask their doctor whether an ultrasound or Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) could be used instead of a CT exam.
Consumer Reports medical advisor, Dr. Orly Avitzur, noted, "It's estimated that CT scans may be responsible for at least two percent of future cancers in the United States, resulting in fifteen thousand deaths a year. So it's clearly critical to avoid unnecessary CT scans."
Related Links:
Consumer Reports
Latest Radiography News
- Novel Breast Imaging System Proves As Effective As Mammography
- AI Assistance Improves Breast-Cancer Screening by Reducing False Positives
- AI Could Boost Clinical Adoption of Chest DDR
- 3D Mammography Almost Halves Breast Cancer Incidence between Two Screening Tests
- AI Model Predicts 5-Year Breast Cancer Risk from Mammograms
- Deep Learning Framework Detects Fractures in X-Ray Images With 99% Accuracy
- Direct AI-Based Medical X-Ray Imaging System a Paradigm-Shift from Conventional DR and CT
- Chest X-Ray AI Solution Automatically Identifies, Categorizes and Highlights Suspicious Areas
- AI Diagnoses Wrist Fractures As Well As Radiologists
- Annual Mammography Beginning At 40 Cuts Breast Cancer Mortality By 42%
- 3D Human GPS Powered By Light Paves Way for Radiation-Free Minimally-Invasive Surgery
- Novel AI Technology to Revolutionize Cancer Detection in Dense Breasts
- AI Solution Provides Radiologists with 'Second Pair' Of Eyes to Detect Breast Cancers
- AI Helps General Radiologists Achieve Specialist-Level Performance in Interpreting Mammograms
- Novel Imaging Technique Could Transform Breast Cancer Detection
- Computer Program Combines AI and Heat-Imaging Technology for Early Breast Cancer Detection