Medical imagining is one way healthcare specialists can diagnose patients, including children. One type of these medical imagining scans is called a CT scan or computed tomography scan. A CT scan can see organs and soft tissues with much more detail than some other types of radiographs (Tortora). Even though these scans are more detailed than some, it does not necessarily mean they are better. These CT scans expose the body to a large does of harmful radiation. Which poses the question, are CT scans more helpful or harmful?
In a recent study, researchers have found that the use of CT scans of the head, abdomen/pelvis, chest, or spine in children under the age of 14 has more than doubled from 1996 to 2005. This news has shown that the radiation associated with this scan has the potential to increase radiation-induced cancer in children. Researches estimate that these pediatric CT scans, while helpful for diagnosis, could potentially cause 4,870 future cancers by these 4 million scans per year (American).
Researchers estimate by reducing 25% of doses to the midpoint we could possibly prevent 43% of these future cancers (American). Although this reduction would not cure childhood cancer it would certainly play a role in prevention. This research gives us insight into areas of healthcare we should improve on, such as finding/using a less harmful yet just as effective scan to decrease exposure to radiation. The ultimate goal is to save the lives of children, by being helpful and not harmful.
American Medical Association (AMA). “Study examines cancer risk from pediatric radiation exposure from CT scans.” ScienceDaily, 10 Jun. 2013. Web. 13 Sep. 2013.
Tortora G.J. and B. Derrickson. 2012. Principles of Anatomy and Physiology. 13th ed., John Wiley and Sons