HMN 2025: How protected are CT scans?

CT scans are a typical check utilized by radiologists to look at what’s occurring contained in the physique. These scans use a small quantity of radiation, elevating issues that they may trigger cancer.

Mark Supanich, Ph.D., director for diagnostic medical physics at Rush, units the document straight.

“If you are getting a CT scan, you are getting it for a medical motive,” says Supanich, who focuses on the protection and high quality of CT scans at Rush. “And we’ve security measures put in place to make sure we’re getting the knowledge we have to care in your {condition}, all whereas prioritizing your well being and utilizing the bottom quantity of radiation that’s cheap.”

What they’re used for

A computerized tomography scan, extra generally referred to as a CT scan, is a fast, painless check that takes about quarter-hour. It makes use of X-rays and a pc to take detailed photos of the within of your physique, together with bones, blood vessels and smooth tissues.

CT scans present extra element than common X-rays and may also help your physician discover issues like accidents, infections or tumors. They’re additionally used to plan surgical procedure, radiation remedy and different procedures and coverings.

“CT scans assist medical doctors get quick, clear solutions when it issues most. The scans can catch cancer early and even hold you from needing surgical procedures or different procedures by displaying precisely what is going on on,” he says. “It’s a instrument that helps medical doctors make the most effective selections in your care.”

The dangers

With any medical process, whether or not it is a easy blood draw or complicated surgical procedure, there’s a component of threat.

During a CT scan, you are briefly uncovered to a sort of power known as ionizing radiation, Supanich explains. It’s much like the small quantities we’re uncovered to day by day from cosmic rays, the bottom, meals and even the air we breathe.

Some research have instructed a hyperlink between CT scan radiation and cancer, however Supanich says that analysis comes from finding out individuals who have been already uncovered to very excessive ranges of radiation, like survivors of the atomic bomb assaults in Japan. These research usually evaluate these excessive doses to the a lot decrease doses utilized in CT scans, which he says continues to be an space of scientific debate.

“There is not a longtime hyperlink between the 2,” Supanich says. “And the dangers for anybody receiving a CT scan are minuscule in comparison with the present cancer charges.”

Personalizing CT scans

During a CT scan, the machine can truly regulate the quantity of radiation.

“When you are available for a CT scan, the imaging crew will regulate the quantity of radiation the system makes use of based mostly on the rationale you are getting a CT scan and your bodily dimension,” he says. “The machine will then routinely regulate based mostly on these circumstances to make sure you’re getting the appropriate degree of radiation that’s protected for you and your {condition}, whereas answering the query at hand.”

Some well being points, like a small spot of cancer on the liver, for instance, are more durable to see on a scan than one thing like a kidney stone and require the next degree of radiation. At the identical time, Supanich cautions that utilizing too little radiation generally is a downside.

“If the radiation dose is simply too low, you won’t get a transparent reply, and that is wasted radiation,” he says. “The threat of lacking one thing essential—and early on—is far larger than the small threat from the scan itself.”

Your security comes first

Imaging consultants have labored for years to ensure CT scans are used safely—and solely when wanted, Supanich says.

“We’re persevering with to work arduous to get the most effective picture high quality for every scan whereas utilizing much less radiation,” he says. “And having the ability to supply the most recent CT know-how at Rush, helps us decrease the dose much more.”

If you could have issues about security and your CT scan, Supanich suggests speaking together with your physician concerning the motive for the examination.

“Find out how the CT scan will inform your analysis or remedy plan, and what query it is answering,” he says. “And if you happen to’re in a position to get that reply, know that going by with the CT scan has a profit that far outweighs any future threat, and that your physician’s precedence is your well being and security.”