Cat Health Questions And Answers
CAT ( CT ) Scan Radiation Over Exposure by Clyde Hanson
Recently I wrote a blog about the TSA and the Body Scanners. It was my concern that the additional radiation exposure could be a health concern. My concern of course was because of the x-rays, mammograms and CAT scan radiation that people would have already had in their lives. When does the accumulation effect start and the scary part, how does it end. In this exploring phase I found quite a few facts that everybody should be aware of.
Americans get more radiation exposure medical tests than anyone on this earth. One-half of all these type tests are done in the USA.
A New York Times investigation just published in July 2010 found that the CT scan radiation overdose scandal was far worse than what the FDA reported. The Times found more than 400 people from around the country had received overdoses during CT brain perfusion scans.
I will not name the hospitals involved but just give you information in what is happening.!6 people received up to five and a half times to much and one person seven and a half more. Another hospital an unknown number received 40 percent more than usual.
In October 2009 206 patients were found to have received radiation overdoses. According to the agency they had been hit by eight times the amount of a regular dose. The CT scan machine was accidentally set too high. This period of time was 18 months. It probably wouldn’t have been discovered then if patients had not started to complain because of hair loss and reddening of the skin.
One study found that heart attack patients get the equivalent of 850 chest x-rays in the first few days of their hospital stay and of course most of them were repeat tests these people already had.
One outrageous incident happened to a teen that went through the CT scan 14 times to check for kidney stones. Another young woman had 31 abdominal CAT scans.
This question I do not have an answer for because no study was done. 7 million children have had CT scans. We do know most of them were scanned in adult hospitals or imaging centers. Was the scans done utilizing adjustments of the radiation levels due to the child’s size and weight?
The American Cancer Society says: The increased risk of cancer from exposure to any single test is likely to be very small. Still, concerns have been raised in recent years as the average amount of radiation a person is exposed to from medical tests has risen. Children’s growing bodies are especially sensitive to radiation.
Because of the very small but real risk, and the fact that radiation exposure from all sources can add up over one’s lifetime, imaging tests that use radiation should only be done if there is a good medical reason to do so. The usefulness of the test must always be balanced against the possible risks from exposure to the radiation. In some cases, other imaging tests such as ultrasound or MRI may be an option. But if there is a reason to believe that an x-ray or CT scan is the best way to look for cancer or other diseases, the patient will most likely be helped more than the small dose of radiation can hurt.
If the American Cancer Society indicates that the radiation exposure can increase the risk of cancer, why does the FDA say there is no proof to this risk?
We can blame the doctors or the hospitals or anyone we want. Yes, the tests are generating income. Yes, sometimes to reduce the chances of being sued. Yes, a lot of mistakes have and are being made. But also yes, if done correctly and prudently they can save a life.
The main point I wish to make to you for your and your families safety and health is to recognize and ask the questions. Is the CT scan really necessary, is there another way to diagnosis for a solution, and finally reduce the use of radiation exposure as much and safely as possible.
Here’s to your good health!
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About the Author
Recently I wrote a blog about the TSA and the Body Scanners. It was my concern that the additional radiation exposure could be a health concern. My concern of course was because of the x-rays, mammograms and CAT scan radiation that people would have already had in their lives. When does the accumulation effect start and the scary part, how does it end. In this exploring phase I found quite a few facts that everybody should be aware of.
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