These findings underscore the urgent need for ongoing research to better understand the long-term effects of low-dose ionizing radiation from medical imaging.

A recent study led by Dr. Rebecca Smith-Bindman from UC San Francisco, published in JAMA Internal Medicine, reveals that computed tomography (CT) scans may contribute to approximately 103,000 new cancer cases annually in the U.S.

This alarming statistic accounts for up to 5% of all diagnosed cancers, highlighting the significant health risks associated with CT scans.

The risk of radiation exposure is particularly pronounced for infants, children, and adolescents, although adults are also at considerable risk due to their higher likelihood of undergoing these scans.

Smith-Bindman advocates for standardizing radiation doses and improving regulations to ensure safer use of CT scanning technology.

Despite calls for federal standards on radiation dosage from CT scans, no such regulations currently exist, leaving patients reliant on healthcare providers for safety.

Dr. Malini Mahendra stresses the need for transparency about the cancer risks associated with CT scans, advocating for improved communication between clinicians and patients.

While the study's findings are significant, some experts, including Mark Supanich from Rush University, question the accuracy of the risk estimates, suggesting they may be overestimated due to certain assumptions.

Limitations of the study include its reliance on data from Japanese atomic bomb survivors, which may not accurately reflect risks for the contemporary U.S. population.

Radiation from CT scans is known to increase cancer risk, with significant variations in radiation doses received by patients, sometimes differing by as much as 50 times between facilities.

Experts emphasize the importance of patient awareness regarding the radiation risks associated with CT scans compared to other imaging techniques, such as ultrasounds and MRIs, which do not use radiation.

In response to these concerns, the University of California, San Francisco, offers a platform called 'Know Your Dose' to help patients understand radiation exposure from scans and make informed decisions.