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CT Scans Linked to 103,000 Future Cancer Cases Annually in the U.S.

New research reveals a three- to four-fold higher cancer risk from CT scan radiation than previously estimated, with children and infants facing the greatest vulnerability.

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CT scans lead to a higher rate of cancer than previously thought, a new study has found.
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Overview

  • A UCSF-led study projects that radiation from 93 million CT scans performed in 2023 will result in 103,000 future cancer cases, accounting for 5% of all new U.S. cancer diagnoses annually.
  • The updated analysis shows cancer risks from CT scans are three to four times higher than earlier estimates, due to refined data on scan types and radiation doses.
  • Children, especially infants under one year old, are at significantly higher risk, with infants facing up to a tenfold increase in cancer susceptibility compared to other age groups.
  • Radiation doses from CT scans vary widely, with about one-third of hospitals exceeding recommended thresholds, highlighting the need for standardized protocols.
  • Experts emphasize that while CT scans are critical for diagnosing serious conditions, reducing unnecessary scans and optimizing radiation doses could prevent many future cancer cases.