Question 1

hi im so worried about the cancer risks for my 5 year old son who had a pelvic x-ray - turned out to be clear. worried as children are more susceptible to the cancer risks of xrays, what would have been the perennial effective dose and risk? thank y?

Accepted Answer

: Your concern is well placed.  We are much more cautious about x-rays in children, especially involving the gonads.  The risk of X-rays is cumulative and increases over a lifetime of radiographic exposure.  When possible, MRI is a safer modality although general anesthesia may be needed in younger kids.   A single pelvic X-ray is minimal exposure.  Be careful to allow necessary studies.

Question 2

what are the risks of a xray test in a child of 2 years? is it safe?

Accepted Answer

Safe: a xray test is a safe procedure with a low exposure to radiation. More extensive procedures like ct scans have more exposure to radiation and the benefit to diagnosis are thought to outweigh the risks to radiation when a doctor orders the tests.

Question 3

could the exposure that xray techs receive give them a higher cancer risk?

Accepted Answer

Not really: Technologists and physicians utilizing radiation are monitored monthly for radiation exposure. If overexposed they are cautioned and spend less time being exposed. They are usually protected by wearing lead aprons when doing fluoroscopy and spend as little amount of time as possible in the radiation field.With advent of digital imaging, the radiation exposure has been tremendously reduced.

Question 4

i am 37,  former smoker, who has reformed. if i had a chest xray every year for the next 60 years... is the cumlative radiation a risk?

Accepted Answer

Chest x-ray: there is no reason to have a chest x- ray every year for the next 60 years because of past history of smoking, of course exposure to radiation always pose a risk

Question 5

my baby needed a toe xray at 18 months.still worried about it. wonder if he's at risk from cancer because of his young age.is this a realistic worry?

Accepted Answer

Not to worry: Toe x ray has a very low dose. Experts disagree about the ability of the body to repair DNA damage with only slight x ray dose. This means either no increase in cancer risk or such a little increase it is next to impossible to calculate.
Hope your baby's foot boo boo is better.

Question 6

what's the risk for fetus after i am doing x-ray and ct scan?

Accepted Answer

Unclear: There are multiple variables in determining the risk to fetus. The risk depends on the age of the fetus. The fetus is most suspective to damage in the first trimester.   X-rays and ct exams taken far away from the wombs such as the head or extremities actually provide little to no radiation to the fetus. It is common procedure to cover the womb with lead if there is any chance of pregnancy.

Question 7

would an xray of growth plate be risking too much exposure to radiation? want 2 know if done growing, doc says radiation exposure isnt good

Accepted Answer

Not dangerous: You're fine. We X-ray bones with growth plates all the time. It would take literally thousands of X-rays of the same bone to produce radiation damage.

We're exposed to tiny amount of radiation every day; there is a certain "background radiation" from various sources, mostly radon gas trapped in buildings. A single X-ray is about the same as a 3 hours of this normal exposure. So don't worry

Question 8

20days ago i had my 4 chest x ray in 5 years i am 23,i am concerned i i put my self at risk for leukemia,should i wait a month til i do cbc to check?

Accepted Answer

I can see that you: are worried since the input from a number of doctors that should be reassuring you, clearly didn't.  I would encourage you to seek out a therapist who is experienced with cognitive behavioral therapy - to help you get past this issue. Do you have health anxiety about other aspects of your health?

Question 9

my doctor does me dental x-ray every 6 month is  it safe to do this every 6 month could i be at risk for future problem could this cause cancer?

Accepted Answer

Good for you: You are seeing your Dentist twice yearly for examination/cleaning as recommended. 2-4 bite-wing (cavity/bone level x-rays provide you with less radiation than a couple of hours in the sun, and provides the Dentist with invaluable information. If you have a recurrent decay problem, or a bone level problem, or you are diabetic, this is not too much exposure. Talk to your Dentist about your concerns.

Question 10

my 5yo daughter had hip x-ray.  technician only covered her chest.  he did not cover her reproductive organs.  are there any risks because of that?

Accepted Answer

Very small: Due to the location being x-rayed, it would be impossible to cover her reproductive organs. That being said, the amount of radiation used in a hip x-ray is minuscule, and your daughter's overall risk is vanishingly small. A typical hip x-ray carries about 0.001 mSv (milliseverts) radiation exposure. For comparison, a transcontinental flight carries about 50 mSv. Hope this helps!

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Doctor answers about:

Risks of xray

A member asked:

Hi im so worried about the cancer risks for my 5 year old son who had a pelvic x-ray - turned out to be clear. worried as children are more susceptible to the cancer risks of xrays, what would have been the perennial effective dose and risk? thank y?

A member asked:

What are the risks of a xray test in a child of 2 years? is it safe?

A member asked:

Could the exposure that xray techs receive give them a higher cancer risk?

A member asked:

I am 37, former smoker, who has reformed. if i had a chest xray every year for the next 60 years... is the cumlative radiation a risk?

A member asked:

My baby needed a toe xray at 18 months.still worried about it. wonder if he's at risk from cancer because of his young age.is this a realistic worry?

A member asked:

What's the risk for fetus after i am doing x-ray and ct scan?

A member asked:

Would an xray of growth plate be risking too much exposure to radiation? want 2 know if done growing, doc says radiation exposure isnt good

A member asked:

20days ago i had my 4 chest x ray in 5 years i am 23,i am concerned i i put my self at risk for leukemia,should i wait a month til i do cbc to check?

A member asked:

My doctor does me dental x-ray every 6 month is it safe to do this every 6 month could i be at risk for future problem could this cause cancer?

A member asked:

My 5yo daughter had hip x-ray. technician only covered her chest. he did not cover her reproductive organs. are there any risks because of that?

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