How Many Patients Would Agree to 500 Chest X-rays?
CT scans are used to diagnose cancer, heart problems, kidney stones, and injuries. Obviously, a three-dimensional view of the body saves lives. But the effects of radiation are cumulative. The more CT scans, the greater the danger, and your body keeps an accurate score. Jupiterimages/photos.com
Does the doctor always know best? Normally the answer is yes. But when your doctor orders a CT scan (computed tomography), does he really understand the amount of radiation your body receives?
A recent report from the University of California expresses concern about the overuse of the many types of scans performed in the United States. So what can patients do to protect themselves from needless radiation?
