A multinational study involving nearly 1 million individuals under the age of 22 has revealed a concerning association between CT scans and an increased blood cancer risk in young people.
Blood Cancer Risk in Children Confirmed by Extensive Study on CT Scan Associations (Photo: Futurity)
Quantifying the Risk: Implications for Children’s Health
According to the report published by US News, in November 10, 2023, published in the journal Nature Medicine on Nov. 9, the research sheds light on the strong and clear link between exposure to radiation from CT scans and the development ofblood cancer risk. Accumulated radiation doses to the bone marrow, particularly exceeding 100 milligrays, were found to triple the risk of experiencing a blood cancer. This groundbreaking study, conducted by researchers from nine European countries, underscores the need for cautious consideration of CT scan usage, especially in pediatric blood cancer risk cases.
The analysis indicated that even a single CT scan, which typically carries an average dose of 8 milligrays, can increase the blood cancer risk in children by approximately 16%. Lead researcher Magda Bosch de Basea emphasized the implications, stating that for every 10,000 children undergoing a CT scan, about 1-2 cases of cancer could be expected in the 12 years following the examination.
Given the extensive use of CT scanning, with 5 to 9 million scans annually on children in the United States alone, the findings raise significant concerns about the blood cancer risk and potential health impact on the younger population. The study calls for a reevaluation of the risk-benefit balance in using CT scans for diagnostic purposes, urging medical professionals to consider alternative methods and optimize procedures to minimize radiation exposure while maintaining diagnostic efficacy.
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Challenges in Safeguarding Children’s Health: Balancing Accuracy and Safety
In a recent report released by Science Media Centre, children’s heightened sensitivity to radiation, coupled with the increased likelihood of health effects from exposure at a young age, necessitates a careful approach to CT scan usage. Despite a decrease in radiation doses from CT scans in recent years, the study underscores the importance of decreasing blood cancer risk judiciously justifying the necessity of each procedure and optimizing protocols to minimize radiation exposure.
Elisabeth Cardis, head of the Radiation Group at ISGlobal, acknowledged the challenges to combat against blood cancer risk involved in conducting such a comprehensive study, emphasizing the need for careful consideration of alternatives and the optimization of procedures to ensure the lowest possible radiation doses while preserving image quality for accurate diagnoses. The findings highlight a crucial balance between medical imaging advancements and the imperative to prioritize the long-term health of young patients.
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