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A 41-year-old male asked:
Ive had 3 ct scans: abdomen/pelvis, low-dose chest and head. i read ill probably get cancer from these. should i be concerned? 41/m
3 doctor answers • 5 doctors weighed in
Dr. Robert Kwokanswered
Pediatrics 35 years experience
Yes: Be concerned because this indicates you are reading the wrong stuff. It is always concerning when patients get their hands on the wrong stuff and read it, as it scares patients. One should keep trying to get the right stuff to read, for whatever future questions one has. In this case, the right stuff will state that nobody will "probably get cancer from" three typical CT scans.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
904 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Clarence Grimanswered
Endocrinology 59 years experience
CT and cancer: 41 F has had 3 CT scans and has read I'll probably get cancer form these. Should I be concerned? ANS: I am almost certain u read u MIGHT get CA from these. And that is true. Radiation damages genes and if the hit is right you get cancer. The more rads u get the more damage, greater risk. Go to Amer Cancer Society website for good discussion of the issues. Minimize exposure to CT and worry less.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
904 viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Dr. Michael Gaboranswered
Diagnostic Radiology 35 years experience
Not really.: Your theoretical increased lifetime risk of cancer from those studies is about 0.1%, meaning there is a 99.9% chance that they will have no effect. Where did you read that you'll probably get cancer from 3 CT scans? Not a reliable source of information in any case.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
903 viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Last updated Nov 4, 2016
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