what is the danger of having too many ct scans? i'm concerned about the radiation. i've had 3 ct scans within one year. i have heard that people have died of bone cancer caused by too many xrays. is this the same?

Question

I have had four x-rays for my chest, one CT of my abdomenand one bone scan. I am worried whether I have an increased chance of developing cancer from this radiation.

Answer 1

The : The main risk of a ct scan is increased risk of developing cancer, but the risk is relatively small. A ct of the abdomen and pelvis increases the cancer mortality risk by approximately 0.05%. In other words, the ct of the abdomen and pelvis increases the chance of you developing cancer in your lifetime from 44% to 44.05%. The increased risk is very small, but it is something people should keep in mind. The benefit of a medically necessary ct scan greatly outweighs the small risk described above; however, some ct scans are performed unnecessarily and provide little benefit to the patient.

Answer 2

Imaging Safety: Ct scans use radiation and radiation can cause cancer. Your individual risk of a radiation-caused cancer is likely very low, but we should always try to minimize radiation exposure and only get scans when there is an important health question that can only be answered through a scan. Please speak with the doctor who ordered your scans about your concerns.

Answer 3

Too small to measure: Pilots get an extra 3 mSV yearly and radiation workers up to an extra 20 mSV yearly. This is cumulative. A common CT scan delivers may be 3, a very sick person who needs chest and abdomen with and without contrasts gets 40. No one has been able to measure any increased cancer risk in pilots or radiation workers. I'd stop worrying. If you need the scan, don't hesitate.

Answer 4

Not necessarily: Family history - mother's and father's, and sibling's - can suggest a predilection for ear infections, but it is only a tendency, not definite. If there is a family history, monitor closely.

Answer 5

Not necessarily: Maybe. The odds are higher. But, it isn't for certain. The family may have an anatomy that makes ear infections at a young age more likely, but other factors such as smoke exposure or allergies may also have a huge impact.

Answer 6

No: It seems your older children had recurrent ear infections, i.e., more than three infections within a year. Genetics plays some role in making a child more susceptible to develop ear infection. Besides, attending day care program and second hand smoking increase the chance as well. On the other hand, breast feeding and getting timely shots of flu and pneumococcus (prevnar) work opposite.

Answer 7

Not necessary: It may not be the same for the youngest child.

Answer 8

Yes: The vaccine has been approved by the fda for ages 9-26 in men. The biggest advantage of the vaccine is to reduce the spread of the virus to women, which can be aided by reducing the number of men with the virus. Male genital cancer is much rarer than female cervical cancer, so the major benefit is preventing some types of warts an spread to women.

Answer 9

Yes: Not so much for cancer, as hpv causes no medical concern to the man other than genital warts, but vaccination of the man can prevent warts and transmission to the woman.

Answer 10

Maybe yes: Hpv vaccine is now approved for boys and men. Males can choose to get the vaccine to help stop the spread of hpv to women, who risk developing cervical cancer from hpv. Males do get some benefit, as they themselves get protection against some genital and anal warts, and perhaps some anal cancers. Researchers are looking for evidence that hpv vaccine protects against some throat cancers.

Answer 11

Yes!: Yes, of course! the vaccine has been approved for men and boys for two years now (gardisil that is, Cervarix is not approved for boys/men yet). It is approved for the prevention of anal cancer and it's precursors caused by hpv and genital warts as well.

Answer 12

Lymphedema: An essential part of breast cancer staging is the removal of some of the lymph nodes under the armpit. The lymphatic system's job includes draining tissue fluid and bringing it back into the circulation. Lymph node removal short-circuits this process leading to the risk of chronic swelling, or lymphedema. The less nodes removed, the lower the risk.

Answer 13

Lymph node drainage : Usually breast cancer surgery associate with lymph harvesting. Depending on how extensive the lymph node dissection is, you may experience pain and swelling of the arm and shoulder with extensive lymph node dissection.

Answer 14

Lymphedema: When lymph nodes are removed from under the arm during breast cancer surgery, you are at risk for developing lymphedema (swelling). The amount of lymphedema varies and can depend on the number of lymph nodes removed. Lymphedema can be treated and controlled. I recommend you ask your surgeon to refer you to a lymphedema clinic for evaluation.

Answer 15

Can be normal: Some pain and swelling can be normal at this stage. May take close to 1 full year for complete resolution with good therapy. Signs of metal allergy include persistent pain and swelling, skin rashes, including hives , and x-ray findings of component loosening. A sample of the metal, provided by the implant company, can be taped to your arm to confirm. Ask your surgeon.

Answer 16

Neither: If it's a stone not much but medication and passing the stone will help. My condolences.

Answer 17

Kidney infection: Kidney infection (pyelonephritis) generally causes fever, chills and very significant flank pain. One generally feels "sick". Bladder infection (cystitis) rarely causes systemic symptoms. Discomfort in the pelvic area and irritative voiding symptoms are typical.

what is the danger of having too many ct scans? i'm concerned about the radiation. i've had 3 ct scans within one year. i have heard that people have died of bone cancer caused by too many xrays. is this the same?

Ask U.S. doctors your own question and get educational, text answers — it's anonymous and free!

Ask U.S. doctors your own question and get educational, text answers — it's anonymous and free!

HealthTap doctors are based in the U.S., board certified, and available by text or video.

90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions or offer you advice, prescriptions, and more. Get help now:

Similar questions

Both of my older kids had chronic ear infections; does this mean my new baby will, too?

I'm a man, should I get human papilloma virus vaccine to avoid genital warts and cancer?

Why can arm swelling and pain happen after breast cancer surgery?

4 months ago I had total knee replacements(both) and I still have swelling, burning, sharp needle like pains is this normal? What are the signs if one is allergic to the metal in the knee replacement (both)

Is a heating pad or i've better for kidney pain? Er said I had a UTI but i'm not really having bladder problems, it's just my left kidney.

Related questions

90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions or offer you advice, prescriptions, and more. Get help now:

Found in:

People also asked

Related topics

Disclaimer:

Get the free app for Members

Get the free app for Doctors