Report Links Increased Cancer Risk to CT Scans

This morning the NBC Today show had a topic about CT induced cancers.  It is also on the internet.  Look below:

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/29/us/29scan.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

I am a critic of CT Scan: risky, costly and ineffective.

Radiation load is a huge issue for those of us suffering from chronic illnesses like crohn's. Each of us should be aware of how many x-rays and scans that have been performed and make sure our specialists and the radiology departments booking the tests are aware of it. We can't figure out when it is too much, but we should be making our caregivers aware of those concerns so that they will think about that when determining what tests to order.

Ultimately, every time we consider having a test done we should be asking, is this really necessary? Not only is there the potential risk associated with these tests, but they often create wild goose chases when they flag a benign abnormality. That then calls for more invasive testing which nine times out of ten determines the abnormality has no health significance.

I had an Abdominal CT Scan this summer.  The price tag was $5000 (I was responsible for co-insurance).  It was a risky procedure that I now know.  And the best part is: Nothing is conclusive from the CT Scan!!  In other words, the test results are murky and uncertain; it was a complete waste.