Frequent Computed Tomography Scans May Cause Cancer

A study at the Columbia University Medical Centre reported that frequent exposure to radiation emitted from computed tomography (CT) may trigger cancer. During the procedure, X-ray machines rotate around a section of the body, taking cross-sectional pictures that are assembled by the computers into a 3-D image. CT scans can reveal details that do not show up in an ordinary X-ray image. The researchers said although the CT image is a big improvement over conventional X-rays, the radiation dose that patients receive are also much higher.