CT Scans Projected to Result in 100,000 New Cancers in The U.S.

A new study warns that rising CT scan use in the U.S. may contribute to as many as 103,000 future cancer cases, with ionizing radiation from scans potentially accounting for 5% of new diagnoses. While the individual risk remains minimal, public health experts are calling for greater scrutiny of unnecessary scans, especially given the 30% rise in CT use since 2007.

Researchers highlight vulnerable populations—such as children, adolescents, and females—as potentially more susceptible to long-term radiation effects. The message for public health communicators is clear: promote informed decision-making and advocate for clinically justified imaging to minimize population-wide radiation exposure. Read more from Science Alert here.