X-rays and CT scans may raise cancer risk - latest study

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I didn't know where to post this. I heard about this study, and it's disturbing to me since I have always read that x-rays only pose a 'minimal risk' for cancer.

I guess I'm concerned since I've had several x-rays throughout my life, and the majority have been to get medical clearance for PPDs, due to having had the BCG vaccine when I was a kid.

I wish that I didn't have to have a chest x-ray every so often. Is it a law or requirement to have this done every 2-3 yrs if you can't get a PPD due to a past positive result? The last time I had a positive result was back in grade school, and I was even given meds 'just in case' for a year. I hated them, and the side effects, and the fact that I probably didn't need them. I wonder if I will test positive now or was it just that one time? Or maybe a allergy to the PPD? I have cousins who also had the BCG and they didn't test positive. I've never had anything abnormal show up on x-rays,and I hate getting them.

Is there any way around this?

article:

http://www.healthjackal.com/conditions/2009/08/27/study-shows-x-rays-and-ct-scans-may-raise-cancer-risk/

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i don't know what to tell u, but i do know that i've always thought x-rays and such cause cancer. it's kind of interesting that they're just figuring it out...

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they are not just figuring this out. there have been prevoius studies that have shown this trend. My genetics doc has known it since she took over from my old one 11 years ago so this is not new. We have been avoinding CT's for me for that whole time. xrays were not as known but we still avoided them. I have had 6 ct's in that time for some of them it was because I could not have mri's at the time because I had braces, then they were worried I might have increased intercranial pressure, then i had a cuncussion. but we do MRI's as much as possible

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they are not just figuring this out. there have been prevoius studies that have shown this trend. My genetics doc has known it since she took over from my old one 11 years ago so this is not new. We have been avoinding CT's for me for that whole time. xrays were not as known but we still avoided them. I have had 6 ct's in that time for some of them it was because I could not have mri's at the time because I had braces, then they were worried I might have increased intercranial pressure, then i had a cuncussion. but we do MRI's as much as possible

Well the article states that it has always been known that x-rays can pose a risk, but it had always been considered 'minimal' risk. My doctors used to tell me that all the time whenever I hesitated to get x-rays.

But this study is saying that the risk is much larger than previously thought.

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Specializes in NICU.

If you had BCG as a child--esp. considering you were treated for TB--you should be able to get a letter from your doctor or the Public Health dept (wherever you were treated) that should clear you from CXRs to test for active TB.

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Maybe the newer TB blood test would be something that would work for you?? Its called Quantiferon Gold. I would also call a Tb clinic. I had a positive ppd once that I was sure was from an error in the placement and I was against getting chest x-rays for ever so I called my local tb clinic and they helped me find this blood test so I do not have to get the chest x-ray. I recently read an article that this new blood test might even replace the skin test...

You can find more on the CDC website too

http://www.cdc.gov/TB/pubs/tbfactsheets/QFT.htm

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Specializes in Neurovascular, Ortho, Community Health.

No surprise here..it is radiation...hence radiography. If you've had a research class, you've probably been forced to learn that all studies are not created equal.

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Specializes in Critical Care.

Lack of scientific understanding in general in this thread.

Background radiation a typical human is exposed to on Earth, annually: 2.4 mSv.

Radiation exposure of typical medical x-ray: 0.1 mSv

Radiation exposure of CTs: 1.5 - 6 mSv for most (higher for some tests)

We've known about the cancer risk of extremely short wavelength electromagnetic energy ever since the days of madame Curie.

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Specializes in Critical Care.
No surprise here..it is radiation...hence radiography. If you've had a research class, you've probably been forced to learn that all studies are not created equal.

"Radiation" doesn't equate to "bad".

ALL electromagnetic energy is radiation. This includes visible light.

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Who told you an annual chest x-ray is required, your employer? If so, speak to your occupational health nurse and your family doctor about your concerns about the risks from radiation exposure. Ask your physician to write a letter stating that thus far your chest x-rays are clear and that you will not be having further x-rays unless you are symptomatic. Give the letter to your occupational health nurse, keep a copy for yourself. This is what other healthcare workers do who were either vaccinated or are allergic to mantoux test.

regards

dishes

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Heck, if the radiation from x-rays and CT scans dont get ya, the frozen pee cake that fell from the jetliner flying over you and striking you squarely in the head will ;)

I realize that the studies say otherwise, but I am much more concerned about my cell phone.......

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Maybe the newer TB blood test would be something that would work for you?? Its called Quantiferon Gold. I would also call a Tb clinic. I had a positive ppd once that I was sure was from an error in the placement and I was against getting chest x-rays for ever so I called my local tb clinic and they helped me find this blood test so I do not have to get the chest x-ray. I recently read an article that this new blood test might even replace the skin test...

You can find more on the CDC website too

http://www.cdc.gov/TB/pubs/tbfactsheets/QFT.htm

Thanks so much for that article. I will look into it. I definitely don't want to keep getting needless x-rays. I told my doctor about the BCG and treatment that I had as a child, but I was still required to get a chest x-ray for entering nursing school.

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