CT Scan Radiation May Cause Thousands of Future Cancer Cases, Study Reveals

health concerns. A study published in a leading medical journal highlights the potential long-term consequences of frequent CT imaging, particularly among younger populations who are more susceptible to radiation-induced malignancies . The cumulative effect of radiation doses received during these diagnostic procedures can increase the risk of developing various types of cancers over time, making it imperative for healthcare providers to evaluate the necessity and frequency of such scans.

CT scans performed on 62 million people in 2023, the researchers estimated that the CT scans would lead to 103,000 future cancers. To put that in context, those 103,000 cancers would account for about 5 percent of cancers diagnosed each year, based on the current cancer rates and the current usage of CT scans. And the estimate puts CT scans on par with alcohol consumption and obesity in terms of risk factors for developing cancer.

lung cancer and colon cancer—two cancers that are becoming more common in younger people for reasons experts do not fully understand. The types of CT scans linked to the greatest number of cancers were abdomen and pelvis CT scans.

CTs are an important tool for assessing many conditions, including whether patients need emergency surgery after car accidents and falls, and to see whether some cancer treatments are working. But the technology is overused in other instances, Smith-Bindman said, such as when it’s used to diagnose a suspected pulmonary embolism, or a blood clot in the lungs, in a patient who’s at low risk for an embolism.  

"CT scanning is accurate, quick, well-tolerated, and relatively inexpensive. Its success as an imaging modality is also what makes it so challenging to constrain. CT has become essential to the diagnostic process for many serious conditions, from trauma to cancer," the editors wrote.

But they say the estimates found in the study should serve as a wake-up call — putting CT scanning on par with other well-known risk factors for cancer, including alcohol and obesity.

The editor's note also offers potential guidance, including the use of alternative, radiation-free imaging options; reducing radiation dose for CT scans; and educating clinicians about avoiding low-value testing.

The findings underscore the importance of informed decision-making in medical imaging practices. While CT scans provide invaluable diagnostic information, clinicians must weigh their benefits against potential risks associated with ionizing radiation exposure . This study calls for enhanced patient education regarding the risks linked to repeated imaging and urges healthcare professionals to consider alternative modalities when appropriate. By fostering a culture of cautious use and critical assessment, the medical community can mitigate future cancer incidences attributed to unnecessary CT scan usage.

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Sarah H

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