Cancer Risks Associated With External Radiation From Diagnostic Imaging Procedures

March 21, 2012

All,Of interest to all who order imaging...Cancer Risks Associated With External Radiation From Diagnostic Imaging Procedures

The 600% increase in medical radiation exposure to the US population since 1980 has provided immense benefit, but increased potential future cancer risks to patients. Most of the increase is from diagnostic radiologic procedures. The objectives of this review are to

summarize epidemiologic data on cancer risks associated with diagnostic procedures, describe how exposures from recent diagnosticprocedures relate to radiation levels linked with cancer occurrence, and propose a framework of strategies to reduce radiation from

diagnostic imaging in patients. We briefly review radiation dose definitions, mechanisms of radiation carcinogenesis, key epidemiologicstudies of medical and other radiation sources and cancer risks, and dose trends from diagnostic procedures. We describe cancer risks

from experimental studies, future projected risks from current imaging procedures, and the potential for higher risks in genetically susceptible populations. To reduce future projected cancers from diagnostic procedures, we advocate the widespread use of evidencebased appropriateness criteria for decisions about imaging procedures; oversight of equipment to deliver reliably the minimum radiation

required to attain clinical objectives; development of electronic lifetime records of imaging procedures for patients and their physicians;and commitment by medical training programs, professional societies, and radiation protection organizations to educate all stakeholders

in reducing radiation from diagnostic procedures. CA Cancer J Clin 2012;62:75-100. Published 2012 American Cancer Society.free full text

A. Simpson, DC | Vice President, Medical DirectorThe CHP Group | Smart Solutions. Healthy Results.

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March 22, 2012

Relative to over use of CAT scans, I have recently seen two MVI patients that were first screened at Legacy Emanuel Hospital. These were routine moderate level crashes. One lady received 5 CAT scans and the other a whopping 7 CAT scans-one each for head, pelvis, chest, abdomen, cervical , thoracic and lumbar spine.

All CAT's revealed essentially normal findings. Using the info from Dr. Simpson's article the latter patient received the equivalent dose of radiation that 3500 normal chest x-rays would have delivered. Wow!!

Talk about over utilization-these guys appear to be setting a new standard here.I have alerted the patient as to my concerns and she has contacted her insurance carrier. They were equally alarmed and assured her that this case would be sent out for review by other specialist.

Schneider DCPDX On Wed, Mar 21, 2012 at 11:06 AM, Chuck Simpson, DC <csimpson@...> wrote: