Jun 30, 2008 7:57 pm US/Eastern
CT Scans May Do More Harm Than Good For Heart
Study says 1/3 of all CT scans are unnecessary
MIAMI (CBS4) ―
Doctors and researchers are becoming increasingly concerned that a typical heart test may be more dangerous than previously thought. A new report says a CT scan exposes you to enough radiation that might be leading to cancer.
"I don't have any patient in whose case the CT scan made any difference in saving someone's life," said Cardiologist Stephen Siegel.
One recent study found 1/3 of all CT scans was unnecessary. Another study estimates 1 in every 2,000 people who have 2 or more CT scans will develop a radiation induced cancer and for children, the rate may be even higher.
A CT scan creates an image of a beating heart by combining a series of x-rays. They are said to give doctors a clear look at a patients arteries, which is useful when heart disease is suspected, but solutions arising out if its use at times don't show up.
The scan also exposes patients to large doses of radiation and it can cost up to $2,000. That is a large amount of money for a test with no studies proving they're better than older screening methods, which start with blood work-ups and stress tests.
"Even without that evidence, more hospitals are investing in the technology," said
CBS4 medical reporter Dr. Sean Keniff.
To keep up with the technology though, it's going to cost quite a bit. Each machine costs around a million dollars and some say that might be an incentive to use the scans when they may not be needed.
"It's a new technology. It's a wonderful test, the question is we have to find the best applications for it," Siegel said.
The main thing to remember is prevention is the best cure. Keep yourself in shape, eat well, and live a healthy lifestyle and it's entirely possible you'll never have to face the decision of whether to scan or not.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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