Dangers of Medical Imaging Tests and Procedures

New medical imaging procedures have undoubtedly made diagnosis of conditions more accurate and even detected early. In addition, new imaging techniques have improved treatment plans. Certain treatment therapies have been improved because of more accurate imaging. However, certain imaging procedures have led to an increased number of people who are unnecessarily exposed to high radiation.

Medical procedures such as computed tomography (CT), nuclear medicine studies and fluoroscopy are examples of medical X-rays that use radiation. Although these imaging techniques have increased the accuracy of detecting disease and injury, they also expose patients to a type of radiation called ionizing radiation. Ionizing radiation, according to the US Food and Drug Administration, can increase a person's lifetime risk of having cancer.

Other problems with medical imaging tests can occur as well. Sometimes, exposure to very high radiation, accidentally, can also cause erythema (reddening of the skin) or skin burns, hair loss and cataracts. In some medical imaging methods such as CT, birth defects may potentially occur if done during pregnancy.

An online article at the FDA web site states that "The risk of developing cancer from radiation exposure is generally small, and it depends on at least three factors-the amount of radiation dose, the age at exposure, and the sex of the person exposed."

Exposure to medical imaging radiation is a concern in both adults and children. However, radiation exposure in children is of a greater concern because they are more sensitive to radiation than adults. In addition, children have longer life expectancy than adults. With repeated exposure or accumulated exposure to radiation, children may be more likely to develop health problems in the future.

Lifetime risk of developing cancer increases when a patient undergoes more frequent X-ray exams and at larger doses, according to the FDA. Women who are exposed to the radiation may have higher lifetime risk for developing radiation-associated cancer than men after receiving the same exposures at the same ages.

Jeffrey Shuren, M.D., J.D., director of the FDA's Center for Devices and Radiological Health said in an FDA News release, "The amount of radiation Americans are exposed to from medical imaging has dramatically increased over the past 20 years."

The FDA has unveiled the initiative to reduce unnecessary medical imaging radiation exposure. "The goal of FDA's initiative is to support the benefits associated with medical imaging while minimizing the risks," said Shuren.

While experts believe that the risk of developing cancer with radiation exposure is relatively small, radiation exposure through these medical imaging tests should never be taken lightly.

Sources:

FDA Unveils Initiative to Reduce Unnecessary Radiation Exposure from Medical Imaging (February 2010). Retrieved February 11, 2010 from http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/UCM200085

Computed Tomography (CT) (February 2010). Retrieved February 11, 2010 from http://www.fda.gov/Radiation-EmittingProducts/RadiationEmittingProductsandProcedures/MedicalImaging/MedicalX-Rays/ucm115317.htm

Medical X-rays (August 2009). Retrieved February 11, 2010 from http://www.fda.gov/Radiation-EmittingProducts/RadiationEmittingProductsandProcedures/MedicalImaging/MedicalX-Rays/default.htm