Reader Question: I read a recent report that CT scans can lead to cancer. Should I be worried about X-rays, too?
On Call Response: You should be concerned about X-rays if you're having them frequently, but CT (computed tomography) scans are more dangerous. That's because CT scans take multiple X-rays at various angles and use computer technology to create a three-dimensional image. As a result, they provide much more detailed information than a standard X-ray—but the downside is that they expose you to higher levels of radiation. For example, a CT scan of your chest exposes you to 10 to 50 times more radiation than a conventional chest X-ray would. And having just two or three CT scans could be enough to increase your lifetime cancer risk, according to a new study in The New England Journal of Medicine.
The lesson to remember is that you shouldn't get imaging tests—especially CT scans—unless you really need them. If your doctor suggests a CT scan, ask if an ultrasound or MRI (magnetic resonance imaging scan) can be done instead to help cut down on your radiation exposure.
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