If you’d like more information about radiation exposure and cancer risk, here are some helpful websites:
Scientific American magazine uses data to illustrate the amount of radiation exposure acquired from different tests and environmental sources.
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/exposed-graphic-science/Questions to ask before your CT scan
Toni Brayer, MD
Parents need to ask: Is this CT scan necessary?
Catherine Musemeche, MD
The risks of CT scans: what an informed patient should know
Jennifer Gunter, MD
Radiation from Cardiac Imaging Tests, Questions You Should Ask
Andrew J. Einstein, MD, PhD
American Heart Association
Questions and answers about radiation exposure for women who may be, or might become, pregnant Health Physics Society
http://hps.org/publicinformation/ate/faqs/pregnancyandradiationexposure.htmlRadiation test calculator tool from the American Society of Radiologic Technologies
http://www.xrayrisk.com/calculator/calculator.phpEnvironmental Protection Agency tool to estimate your environmental radiation exposure
http://www.epa.gov/radiation/understand/calculate.htmlWhen to question CT scans and X-rays
Radiation from these tests can increase your cancer risk
Many kids exposed to unneeded X-Rays, study finds
HealthDay
Too many CT scans ordered for children with concussions, says new study Cincinnati Children’s Hospital
http://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/news/release/2014/concussion-ct-scans-10-13-2014/How much do CT scans increase the risk of cancer?
Scientific American
U.S. Food and Drug Administration begins initiative to reduce unnecessary radiation exposure from medical imaging
http://www.fda.gov/Radiation-EmittingProducts/RadiationSafety/RadiationDoseReduction/default.htmTask force: Hey Washington, you might be getting too much medical care Seattle Post-Intelligencer
http://blog.seattlepi.com/bigscience/2014/10/14/task-force-hey-washington-you-might-be-getting-too-much-medical-care/#27385101=0The National Cancer Institute at the National Institutes of Health
CT scan explanation
Food and Drug Administration
Medical X-ray explanation
Food and Drug Administration
Reducing radiation doses
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Ionizing Radiation and Diagnostic Examinations fact page
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Natural Sources of Radiation fact page
Environmental Protection Agency
Radiation, ionizing vs. non-ionizing explanation
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Fact page on UV Radiation
Radiation Dose Associated With Common Computed Tomography Examinations and the Associated Lifetime Attributable Risk of Cancer
Journal of the American Medical Association
Report on Carcinogens, explaining radiation’s cancer causing properties
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Study overview: radiation exposure from CT scans in childhood and subsequent risk of leukaemia and brain tumours
The Lancet, medical journal
Addressing overutilization in medical imaging.
Department of Radiology, Medical College of Wisconsin
American Society of Radiologic Technologists
http://www.xrayrisk.com/Device manufacturers
www.medicalradiation.comPhysician-affiliated organization, ABIM Foundation
http://www.choosingwisely.org/doctor-patient-lists/Radiological Society of North America and the American College of Radiology
http://www.radiologyinfo.org/index.cfm?bhcp=1Links to various other Websites from this site are provided for your convenience only and do not constitute or imply endorsement by Humana of these sites, any products or services described on these sites, or of any other material contained therein. Humana disclaims responsibility for their content and accuracy. This material is intended for informational use only and should not be construed as medical advice or used in place of consulting a licensed medical professional. You should consult with your doctor.