Echoing a statement from the American College of Radiology after the study’s release, she stressed that the study’s projection of cancer diagnoses from CT scans was based on statistical modeling, not actual patient outcomes.
There are no published studies directly linking CT scans to cancer, the statement says. “Americans should not forgo necessary, life-saving medical imaging and continue to discuss the benefits and risks of these exams with their healthcare providers,” it continues.
You can tell whatever story you want from statistics, it could be that people that get CT scans have a higher chance of getting a cancer diagnosis because they are getting medical care and others just go undiagnosed.
The point isn’t that CT scans cause cancer, that was always a risk with any ionizing radiation. The point is that radiation exposure from CT scans varies wildly based on the operator and you should do what you can to reduce your exposure, but don’t skip a CT because of a scary headline.
You skipped this part:
You can tell whatever story you want from statistics, it could be that people that get CT scans have a higher chance of getting a cancer diagnosis because they are getting medical care and others just go undiagnosed.
The point isn’t that CT scans cause cancer, that was always a risk with any ionizing radiation. The point is that radiation exposure from CT scans varies wildly based on the operator and you should do what you can to reduce your exposure, but don’t skip a CT because of a scary headline.