If compared to invasive diagnostic procedures, for example – Exploratory Surgery, non-invasive diagnostic tests – including CT Scans – have been connected with declining cancer death rates and greater life expectancy and are generally less expansive too.
Are CT scans safe?
As with other X-ray imaging tests, we are exposed briefly to a small targeted amount of ionizing radiation in CT Scans. This radiation creates an image of internal body structures and of course, with the X-ray radiation in the picture, the question would arise -“Are CT Scans safe?”. Compared to traditional X-rays, CT Scans provide more detailed images of more sorts of tissues in our body, allowing diagnosis of many medical conditions.
CT Scan is not just limited to diagnosing a medical condition but serves many other purposes like :
• Guiding Medical Procedures like Needle Biopsies
• Observing the effectiveness of certain treatments, like treatment of cancer
During CT scans, we are exposed to more radiation, as compared to other imaging tests like Mammography or X-rays. To quantify, even when one Chest CT Scan delivers 100 to 200 times the amount of X-rays, the total amount we get is still too little
Are CT Scans Safe? – Some Numbers
Let’s look at some numbers to analyze – are CT Scans safe? First of all, we must also know that every day, every one of us is exposed to ionizing radiation through the natural radioactive stuff in our environment. Millisieverts (mSv) is the unit that is used to measure radiation, and in a year, an average person like us is exposed to about 3 millisieverts (mSv). 1-10 mSv is delivered by each CT Scan, depending on the dose of the radiation and the part of the body that is being diagnosed. Where a regular dose CT Scan is about 7 mSv, the low-dose Chest CT Scan is only about 1.5 mSv.
Advanced Diagnostic Centres, such as ours (Deep Medical Centre) use low dose CT Scan Machines, through which the risk of developing cancer is so small that its reliable measurement can hardly be ascertained, yet American College of Radiology advises to not have any diagnostic imaging test unless there it holds a clear medical benefit to the person being diagnosed.
But what are the chances that the X-rays from a scan will end up causing cancer?
Well that depends on a number of factors like:
• the body part being scanned – radiation affects those organs more whose cells grow and divide quickly like – lungs, breasts, bone marrow. Whereas organs like the brain are comparatively lesser prone to radiation sensitivity.
• Age – Children are more prone to cancer when compared to adults whose cells aren’t growing and dividing as fast as children.
• Gender – The possibility of cancer is slightly higher in females when compared to males.
In the end, chances of getting fatal cancer from one CT Scan are only about 0.05%.
Doctors don’t suggest an imaging exam unless they find it necessary. We must discuss with our doctors as to what is the benefit of going through the diagnostic imaging test – like a CT Scan. Potential benefits when a doctor recommends a CT Scan are generally much higher than the small potential risk of the radiation that the person being diagnosed with a CT Scan goes through. and that’s the answer to : “Are CT Scans Safe?”
Looking for low dose, latest technology, high qualified radiologists’ reported CT Scan in North-east Delhi? Our compassionate highly qualified team of radiologists and assistants have a gentle, caring manner and a feeling of family care because we keep our all empathy with not so good times that you or your family member may be going through, to require a diagnostic test.
Diagnostic Testing in North-east Delhi, Delhi.
We are a diagnostic centre and laboratory providing clinical solutions like CT Scan, Mammography, OPG X-ray, Digital X-ray, IVP, HSG, ECG–EEG, TMT, 4D & 5D Ultrasound, All types of Blood Tests, etc. We promise quality, we deliver it. Deep Medical Centre’s foremost focus has always been to maintain the highest standards in testing and hygiene, resulting in a high level of satisfaction of our more than twenty thousand patrons and being the fastest growing laboratory in North-east Delhi.
Our compassionate highly qualified team of radiologists and assistants have a gentle, caring manner and a feeling of family care because we keep our all empathy with not-so-good times that you or your family member may be going through, to require a diagnostic test.
If you have any questions about our imaging services, call Deep Medical Centre at (+91) 931-166-1446 / drop an email at contact@deepmedicalcentre.com / just click here to open the map to our physical location or request an appointment now. We wish you and your family a very healthy smiling time.
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