CT Scans Projected to Result in 100,000 New Cancers in The US

A study in JAMA Internal Medicine estimates that 2023 CT scans in the US may cause approximately 103,000 future cancer cases. This projection is based on data from 143 US healthcare facilities and utilizes the UCSF International CT Dose Registry. The increased number of CT scans, up over 30% since 2007, contributes to this risk. Researchers predict 93 million CT exams in 2023, affecting roughly 62 million patients. While individual risk from a single CT scan is considered minimal, the population-level impact is significant. The study's findings place CT scans alongside other major cancer risk factors like alcohol consumption. Unnecessary CT scans are identified as a primary concern. The study highlights the need for responsible CT scan usage. The researchers emphasize that medically necessary scans remain crucial. Data from 2016 to 2022 formed the basis of the projections.