Hazards on the Horizon

Need A CT Scan?

 

Need A CT Scan?: Ionizing radiation has many practical uses in medicine, but if used improperly, can cause genetic damage and cancer. We are reminded by new research to keep our total lifetime exposure to 45 units or less. While chest, bone, and dental x-rays give negligible exposures, a mammogram is 3 units and a CT Scan is 20 units.

 

What to do: Do your health radiation math! Every mammogram has at least 3 units, so your total lifetime mammograms should be 15 or fewer. If you’ve already had a CT Scan be very conservative when offered another. Ask your provider if an ultra sound or MRI would provide the same information with less radiation.

© Copyright 2013 - 2018 by Pat Hennessy MD MPH                                                                                                                                                                Design by Victoria Young Maciulski