Do Multiple CT Scans Cause Radiation Induced Cancers?

Brief Answer:
Risk increased but minimal.

Detailed Answer:
Hi.
I am an oncologist in practice for several years now and I can assure you that radiation induced cancers form an excessively low percentage of all cancers.

Lets talk about you. Firstly, radiation induced cancers are site specific. So, a head CT will only cause cancers in the head area and not the chest or abdomen. This applies to all CT scans that you have had. Hence, the total radiation exposure for a particular region is not very high.

Secondly, there is no defined cut off for the number of CTs that can safely be performed without increasing the risk.

Thirdly, a family history of cancer further increases this risk. If you do not have a family history of cancer in parents, siblings or children, then your risk is much less.

Speaking of the article that you have cited, it does not show a conclusively increased risk even in patients who have had more than 3 CTs and also have a family history. The p value in these patients was 0.08 in the study. It should be less than 0.05 for it to be significant.

Most radiation induced cancers are due to radiotherapy that has been given in the past for some other reason. The radiation exposure in radiotherapy is several hundred fold that of a CT scan.
All in all, I would say that while you have a theoretical increase in risk for developing cancer, the practical risk is minimal and not one that you should lose sleep over.

Meanwhile, do the following things to further abate this risk--
1. Include some form of exercise in your routine.
2. Avoid junk food, excess salt/spices/red meat
3. Stop smoking and drinking altogether.
4. Eat lots of vitamins and anti-oxidants in the form of fresh fruits and green tea.
5. Be aware of the symptoms of cancer and contact your doctor as soon as any arise.
6. Enroll in all the available screening programs in your region.

Hope this answers your query satisfactorily. If you have any more i will be happy to answer.

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Brief Answer:
These foods acts as antioxidants. May help

Detailed Answer:
Hi.
While there is no concrete scientific evidence that these foods help prevent cancer, they do have the theoretical advantage. They produce anti-oxidants in the body that neutralize the harmful products that are generated in our body every day. There is no harm taking them. However, do not take excess of anything.
I would suggest you to move on and forget what cannot be undone. In the future try to avoid CT scans if possible. Rather use MRIs and ultrasounds whenever required as they have no radiation exposure.
I hope this answers your query. If you have no more questions, please rate the question and close the thread.
Thank you.

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