Excessive Radiation Linked to CT Screening

Washington, DC: People who had computed tomography (CT) scans as screening for colon cancer may have been exposed to excessive amounts of radiation, some scientists claim. The FDA held a hearing on the subject on Tuesday, inviting scientists and government officials to testify about the possibility that the screening may be causing cancer in some people.

Some reports state that the FDA ignored warnings from its own experts and doctors regarding the high amount of radiation emitted by CT scans, and that using them for colon cancer screening was putting patients at unnecessary risk for possible adverse health events.

According to the New York Times, CT scans can deliver the equivalent radiation of 400 chest x-rays. Some 70 million CT scans are done every year in the US, an increase of 3 million annually since 1980. Researchers estimate that some 14,000 people could die every year as a result of radiation induced cancers.

Consequently, although the American College of Radiology and the American Cancer Society have both endorsed the use of CT scans, their use for screening healthy patients remains controversial.

The Times reports that some FDA scientists sought to have a General Electric application for the use of CT scans for colon cancer screening approved, despite repeated objections from other FDA scientists. The matter is still under agency review.

General Electric, one of the leading manufacturers of CT scanners, sought approval of the device for use in colon cancer screening because Medicare officials and private insurers were debating whether or not to reimburse for the procedure in healthy people.

It is hoped that the FDA hearing will produce some clarity on when and how CT scans should be used, and just what the risk is for adverse health effects among people who have had CT scans.

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Published on Mar-31-10