Is it harmful to the body to do lung CT scan

With the advancement of medical technology, CT scan has become a common way to diagnose some diseases. But some people still have some misunderstandings about CT. For example, some people believe that CT scans may overdraw vitality, and even that its radiation may have an impact on the human body and induce cancer. In fact, there are risks in CT, but they are not that serious.

CT is a method that uses electronic computer technology and cross-sectional projection.

X-rays can penetrate every axial layer of tissue in the human body and have a very high density resolution. The X-rays used in CT scans are 100 times stronger than ordinary X-rays. Therefore, the amount of X-ray exposure after a CT scan is much greater than that of an X-ray examination. The dose is 200 times that of ordinary X-rays, and its harm to the human body is much greater. However, due to the needs of the disease and accidental exposure, the overall impact on the body is minimal, so there is no problem with a CT scan.

Iodinated contrast agents

However, another influence is the iodine contrast agent used in the examination. Very few people are allergic to it. But before the examination, the doctor will make a judgment based on your physical condition (for example, whether you have serious heart, liver, kidney diseases, diabetes, and other contraindications) and conduct an iodine allergy test. If the test is negative, you can stop this examination to ensure safety as much as possible.

How often should CT be performed?

Then someone asked, how often should a CT scan be done? In fact, no one thinks that there is an appropriate number of times to do this. Doctors recommend doing it only to diagnose the condition. There are pros and cons to doing it or not, but there should be at least one week between the two.

Eliminate fear of CT, but don’t overuse it

It should also be noted that frequent CT scans and CT scans at different times can also cause certain damage.

Although there is no proven relationship between CT scans and cancer incidence, it does not mean that there is no potential relationship between CT scans and cancer incidence.

To some extent, the risk of cancer caused by CT depends on the age at the time of exposure. Excessive exposure in children is related to the increase of leukemia and thyroid cancer. It will increase the risk of breast cancer during the reproductive period, and the elderly may increase the chance of lung cancer. It is important to avoid unnecessary CT examinations for this group of people. The indications for CT physical examinations should be strictly controlled. Non-radiation methods (such as ultrasound) should be used if possible, and CT examinations should be avoided if they can be treated with X-rays. Take precautions before they happen and reduce the damage that radiation can cause to people. Of course, CT examinations should not be abused, nor should we panic. Again, accidental contact will not cause harm to the body. Literally speaking, CT may only induce cancer, not necessarily cause cancer.