STUDY: CT Scans Increase Risk Of Brain Cancer

Radiation protection has now become a thing of great concern, especially among children who may receive higher radiation doses, as a new study suggests that Computed tomography (CT) scans, commonly used in medical imaging, may increase the risk of brain tumours.

CT being a tool essential for medical imaging using X-rays and a computer, countless times expose humans to a high level of radiation other than the natural background radiation which comes from the Sun (cosmic radiation), the Earth (mostly Radon gas) and from naturally radioactive substances in our body.

According to the National Cancer Institute journal, the scientist understudied a group of 168,394 Dutch children who received one or more CT scans between the year 1979 and 2012.

However, after a careful evaluation and they discovered a dose-response relationship with radiation dose to the brain while the cancer incidence was 1.5 times higher than expected.

“Epidemiological studies of cancer risks from low doses of medical radiation are challenging,” said Michael Hauptmann, the study’s principal investigator.

“Nevertheless, our careful evaluation of the data and evidence from other studies indicate that CT-related radiation exposure increases brain tumour risk.

“Careful justification of pediatric CT scans and dose optimisation, as done in many hospitals, are essential to minimise risks.”