CT Scans Boost Cancer Risk in Young Patients, Study Finds

My son was dx'd with Acute Myeloid Leukemia at the age of 7 years old in in 1998. His cytogenetics ( that is, the genetic make up of his leukemia cells) indicated prior radiation exposure ( -5 and -7 genetic deletions in his leukemia cells). Five years prior to his AML dx he had had up to seven CT scans ( over an 11 day period, in 1992) as a result of an automobile injury. Five years almost to the date of the last CT scan he was dx'd with AML. He subsequently passed away from his cancer shortly thereafter.

I have been writing ad nauseum since 1998, when my son passed, that his AML can, at least in part, be attributed to his previous CT scan radiation exposure. When I suggested this even to his oncologist, he sort of looked me as if I were from another planet. We have no family history of cancer ( living grandparents well into their 80's on one side,other grandparents succumbed to heart disease and stroke in their 70's).

When another child of mine needed a CT scan as a result of a sports injury I had to literally argue against it with the ER doctor but when she brought up Natasha Richardson's untimely death, I acquiesed and demanded the CT scanner be calibrated for my childs height and weight. I then took those films to the hospital physicist to make sure the machine was actually calibrated. I might add that this hospital had no clue about the Image Gently campaign and it is affiliated with a major university in the northern suburbs of Chicago ( part of Northwestern Healthcare).

Though the physicist assured me that the machine was indeed calibrated, it poses the question for other parents who aren't aware of CT dangers and don't ask for lowering of calibrations. Why doesn't every ER room have the Image Gently poster prominently displayed? It was nowhere to be found at the hospital my son was at and in the CT scan area there were no posters displayed. I am not so sure that the Image Genly campaign has reached enough hospitals. If a hospital affiliated with a major university doesn't adhere, how can we presume that small community hospitals would adhere?

Every hospital should subscribe to ALARA standards

and the Image Gently campaign.

Jill Cunniff of IL 4:38PM July 01, 2012

While it is essential to evaluate the potential risks associated with any medical procedure, it is important to note that the cumulative risk of cancers cited in this article is low. Additionally, this retrospective study, conducted from 1985-2002, examines scans performed with outdated imaging technologies. The subsequent two decades of innovation have enabled manufacturers to significantly reduce radiation dose to deliver the safest, most efficient care possible. To help ensure that our industry’s cutting-edge technologies are used safely and appropriately, MITA remains firmly committed to developing and advocating for solutions. Our members continue to develop and implement new breakthrough products and system innovations that reduce radiation dose without compromising the ability of these technologies to aid physicians in diagnosing disease and staging treating options. These efforts build on past industry-wide initiatives to enhance patient protection features for CT equipment, ensuring that scans are safe and effective. – Gail Rodriguez, Executive Director, Medical Imaging & Technology Alliance

Gail Rodriguez of DC 5:18PM June 07, 2012