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Consumer Reports March 2015
Radiation Risk for CT scan: CT emits a powerful does of radiation, in some cases equivalent to about 200 chest
x-rays, or the amount most people would be exposed to from natural sources over 7 years. That dose can alter the makeup of human tissue and create free radicals, molecules that can wreak havoc on human cells. Your body can often repair that damage--but not always. And When it doesn't, the damage can lead to cancer.
The article is called Overexposed and is in March 2015 issued of Consumer Reports. Anyone scheduled for any
radiation tests might want to find it and read it.
This discussion is related to Requesting MRI instead of CT Scan - Radiation Concerns.
x-rays, or the amount most people would be exposed to from natural sources over 7 years. That dose can alter the makeup of human tissue and create free radicals, molecules that can wreak havoc on human cells. Your body can often repair that damage--but not always. And When it doesn't, the damage can lead to cancer.
The article is called Overexposed and is in March 2015 issued of Consumer Reports. Anyone scheduled for any
radiation tests might want to find it and read it.
This discussion is related to Requesting MRI instead of CT Scan - Radiation Concerns.
Good point, but again you know how hard it is to make a shift to MRIs & MRAs
exclusively because of all the reasons you gave.
I advocated against mammogram screening , which result in more breast cancer than WITHOUT mammogram screening, only to see other alternative screening (at least here in Canada) become a target, in recent years.
A definite contributing factor-besides the radiation exposure- in breast cancer risk, mammograms are still the established and fully endorsed method of screening for breast cancer.
Go figure!
Cheers,
Niko
exclusively because of all the reasons you gave.
I advocated against mammogram screening , which result in more breast cancer than WITHOUT mammogram screening, only to see other alternative screening (at least here in Canada) become a target, in recent years.
A definite contributing factor-besides the radiation exposure- in breast cancer risk, mammograms are still the established and fully endorsed method of screening for breast cancer.
Go figure!
Cheers,
Niko
Better advice is to NOT get a CT scan at all and stick to an MRI and an MRA.
Having worked as an x-ray tech let me tell you all machines are NOT alike. The rolling portables give a worse image and emit more radiation. X-rays are very short and the slightest vibration blurs the image. There is a lot of vibration in the roll-around machines.
Also request a lead blanker (two preferably) to cover all areas not to be on the film. They tell you that the area outside the film has no radiation. They fib.
As an experiment I put lead pellets on dental film and placed them all around the room and in varing distances away from the area of the image rectangle. When developed they all showed fogging.
Don't get x-rays in a doctor's office. They invariably have second hand machines.
Secondly, refuse "routine" x-rays, such as when you are admitted, unless there is a good reason to take them,. It's very simple. Just say "no". These are taken for malpractice reasons.
New techniques don't use film, so you can get your image in electronic form. In years past the films were reclaimed for the silver and the hospital would destroy your film after a short time with no record of the image. I used to solve this problem by saying "May I see that for a minute" and walking out the door with the film in my hands.
Basically there is no "safe" threshold for radiation exposure, espedially for a woman of child bearing age. That doesn't mean you should never have one taken. It's a risk benefit thing.
Many hospitals only have the MRI available during the day. This if you come in on the evening shift with "rule out stroke" you get a CT. Do not pass go. Do not collect two hundred dollars.
CT equipment is by and large obsolete, but there is a big investment to be amortized and that means "use em' on patients".
Having worked as an x-ray tech let me tell you all machines are NOT alike. The rolling portables give a worse image and emit more radiation. X-rays are very short and the slightest vibration blurs the image. There is a lot of vibration in the roll-around machines.
Also request a lead blanker (two preferably) to cover all areas not to be on the film. They tell you that the area outside the film has no radiation. They fib.
As an experiment I put lead pellets on dental film and placed them all around the room and in varing distances away from the area of the image rectangle. When developed they all showed fogging.
Don't get x-rays in a doctor's office. They invariably have second hand machines.
Secondly, refuse "routine" x-rays, such as when you are admitted, unless there is a good reason to take them,. It's very simple. Just say "no". These are taken for malpractice reasons.
New techniques don't use film, so you can get your image in electronic form. In years past the films were reclaimed for the silver and the hospital would destroy your film after a short time with no record of the image. I used to solve this problem by saying "May I see that for a minute" and walking out the door with the film in my hands.
Basically there is no "safe" threshold for radiation exposure, espedially for a woman of child bearing age. That doesn't mean you should never have one taken. It's a risk benefit thing.
Many hospitals only have the MRI available during the day. This if you come in on the evening shift with "rule out stroke" you get a CT. Do not pass go. Do not collect two hundred dollars.
CT equipment is by and large obsolete, but there is a big investment to be amortized and that means "use em' on patients".
There are ways to prevent & to minimize effects from radiation from various sources.
My advice is to work with a Holistic or Naturopathic Doctor
(prior to a CT scan) who has experience in this field, as some of the recommended supplements, may interfere with thyroid function or have other consequences, if taken without the guidance of a knowledgeable Health Professional.
Thanks for posting this!
Cheers,
Niko
My advice is to work with a Holistic or Naturopathic Doctor
(prior to a CT scan) who has experience in this field, as some of the recommended supplements, may interfere with thyroid function or have other consequences, if taken without the guidance of a knowledgeable Health Professional.
Thanks for posting this!
Cheers,
Niko
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