By Irene Wright
Researchers from UC San Francisco have announced a study that found computed tomography, or CT scans, may account for as much as 5% of all cancers annually. This is comparative to the cancer risk from alcohol use and being overweight, according to an April 14 news release from the university.
An estimated 93 million CT scans were performed in 2023, and researchers predict 103,000 cancer cases could be attributed to those scans, according to the release. The risk is increased for children, according to the study.
The scans expose patients to ionizing radiation in order to get an inside look into the body, but radiation is a known carcinogen, or cancer-causing agent, according to the university.
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