Patients Underestimate Radiation Risk from CT Scans: Study
Only about 25% of patients understand the true risks of radiation when undergoing computed tomographic imaging (CT scans), according to the findings of a new study on the public’s perceptions of radiation risk and exposure.
Three-quarters of all patients underestimate the amount of CT scan radiation their bodies receive, researchers from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey found. Only 3% know that the scans increase the lifetime risk of cancer, according to the new research, which was published online on December 10 in the Annals of Emergency Medicine.
More than 1,100 patients were asked by researchers whether they knew that two to three abdominal CT scans give the same radiation exposure as that received by survivors of the atom bomb dropped on Hiroshima, Japan, at the end of World War II. Only about 13% agreed with the factual statement.
Did You Know?
Millions of Philips CPAP Machines Recalled
Philips DreamStation, CPAP and BiPAP machines sold in recent years may pose a risk of cancer, lung damage and other injuries.
Learn MoreThe researchers said patients in general have a poor understanding of CT scan radiation exposure and underestimate the possible effects of their previous CT scan experiences.
The study comes a little more than a month after the FDA recommended that the radiation therapy industry make changes to equipment and training to lessen the risk of radiation overdose for patients. The recommendations came after a year-long investigation by the FDA which concluded that nearly all radiation exposure problems suffered by patients are due to operator error and are rarely contributed to broken CT scanners.
CT scan procedures and other forms of radiation therapy across the country are under close scrutiny by the FDA after the discovery that a number of patients have suffered radiation overexposure from CT Scans performed incorrectly.
The recent FDA investigation was sparked by the discovery of CT scan radiation over-exposure problems that may have affected more than 200 patients at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles last year. In the course of the investigation, the FDA found that at least 385 patients had received excessive radiation while undergoing CT brain perfusion scans at a number of hospitals in California and Alabama.
The FDA released interim guidance for health care professionals and radiologists in December 2009. The guidance advised radiation therapy technicians to review procedures and CT scan settings, and to be thorough in checking the amount of dosage prescribed for each CT scan patient.
Get more articles like this sent directly to your inbox.
"*" indicates required fields
3 Comments
VickieJune 1, 2012 at 9:52 pm
We are responsible for our health absolutely but we are not the professionals. When it comes to risks we as patients should be informed and we should be told if there are options and alternatives that may be available.
JenApril 20, 2011 at 7:12 am
Yes if a toddler had a head inj CT is your only option. A toddler will not hold still for a head MRI. Also MRI takes alot longer so if they need a diagonsis 3 min is awhole lot better then 30. CT of the head takes about 3 min from the time the child lays down till the scan is done. The radation exposure should only take under 15 sec. Risk to the parent is minimal because the beam is collimated t[Show More]Yes if a toddler had a head inj CT is your only option. A toddler will not hold still for a head MRI. Also MRI takes alot longer so if they need a diagonsis 3 min is awhole lot better then 30. CT of the head takes about 3 min from the time the child lays down till the scan is done. The radation exposure should only take under 15 sec. Risk to the parent is minimal because the beam is collimated to area of intrest however you can recieve a little scatter which is probably less then a Chest xray. This article makes me sick. I'm a CT tech myself and we follow a protocol established by GE. If the pt recieved high amounts of radiation either the tech kept scanning and scanning(which i doubt) or the protocol is set up wrong. We use something called smart MA which detects how much dose is nessasary for diagnosis. We have no control over how much the machine says is nessasary for a scan. Seems to me GE might have the FDA in their pockets and would like to blame the middle man for all this overexposure. Patients need more education also. I think the Dr should go over with patients thier options. Sometimes an Ultrasound can be ordered instead of a CT. Just think people need to wise up and ask more about what is going on because in the end you are responsible for your health
KalDecember 21, 2010 at 3:02 am
How advisable is CT scan for toddlers involved in auto accidents with suspected head injuries? How many minutes should such scannng procedures take? What are the risks for the parent who sometimes have to stay with their toddlers to hold them down while the scared toddlers are undergoing the CT scanning procedures?