Worrisome Radiation Doses Accumulate Over Time

Over time, patients can accumulate high doses of radiation from imaging procedures. This information was reported in the August 27 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine. According to the report’s authors, the use of imaging procedures needs to be improved, in light of the fact that cumulative radiation doses can be concerning. A doctor at the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute says that even moderate radiation exposure is a public health threat that may be avoidable. Procedures which expose people to ionizing radiation include myocardial perfusion imaging, radiographs, and CT scans. According to the reported study, radiation doses were higher in women, and increased with advancing age. The report’s authors state that often doctors don’t discuss radiation risks with patients because each single procedure has low risks, and procedures are considered in isolation. The researchers state that there needs to be a national public health conversation about ionizing radiation dangers and the appropriate use of imaging procedures.