Indiana University

Did You Know?: High Radiation Levels in Imaging Tests

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Air date: October 11, 2009

Host: Jeremy Shere, PhD

Did You know? Men's & Women's Health Patient Care Safety
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Wishard Health Services



Did you Know? is presented by Wishard Health Services, becoming Eskenazi Health in 2014.


Did you know that imaging tests like CT-scans may expose you to dangerous amounts of radiation?

Imaging tests such as CT scans and nuclear imaging are valuable tools in the modern medical arsenal. Used wisely, imaging technology can help doctors diagnose disease in its earliest stages.

But according to a recent study, such tests come with a cost -- namely: radiation.

When you undergo nuclear imaging or have a CT scan, there's a decent chance you're being exposed to high and even dangerous levels of radiation.

An earlier study, done in 2007, found that up to two percent of cancer diagnoses in the U.S. are caused by radiation exposure during CT imaging.

Some imaging tests are clearly beneficial, despite the risks. But in some cases, the risk of radiation exposure may outweigh the potential benefits.

And now you know.

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