Children who undergo several CT scans are more likely to develop cancer later in life, according to some recent research. In fact, some research has shown that being subjected to CT scans of the as a child can triple the risk that patients will suffer from brain tumors and leukemia years later. It’s long been […]
Children who undergo several CT scans are more likely to develop cancer later in life, according to some recent research. In fact, some research has shown that being subjected to CT scans of the as a child can triple the risk that patients will suffer from brain tumors and leukemia years later.
It’s long been known that children are more vulnerable to the effects of medical radiation from CT scans and X-rays, and doctors have been advised to limit the use of such scans in this patient population. Because of cancer concerns associated with medical imaging, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has pressured the makers of X-rays and CT scan devices to factor in the safety of pediatric patients when using existing machines and designing new ones.
If you or a loved one were diagnosed with a brain tumor, leukemia or another cancer, and you underwent multiple CT scans as a child, you may have valuable legal rights. The CT scan cancer lawyers at Parker Waichman LLP are offering free lawsuit consultations to anyone who believes they developed cancer as a result of childhood exposure to medical radiation, especially via CT scans. We urge you to contact the CT scan cancer lawyers at Parker Waichman LLP today to discuss the legal options available to you.
CT, or computed tomography, scans involve much more radiation than traditional X-ray techniques. At least four million children a year receive CT scans in the U.S., and researchers estimate that a third of the scans are unnecessary or could be replaced by safer tests like ultrasound or MRIs, which do not use radiation. In 2012, the FDA told the makers of CT scan and X-ray machines to ensure that their new equipment includes settings and instructions that minimize radiation hazards for kids. If they do not, the FDA said it will require they include a label on machines that recommend they not be used for children at all. The agency has advised parents to ask their doctors if a CT scan is the best option or if there’s a radiation-free alternative when one is ordered for their child. The FDA also says that parents should track how many CT scans their child receives.
In June 2012, a study published in The Lancet found that children who underwent multiple CT scans of the head and neck had triple the risk of developing brain tumors and leukemia later on. For the study, researchers from the U.S. National Cancer Institute and Newcastle University in the U.K. collected data on almost 180,000 British patients under age 22 who had CT scans between 1985 and 2002, including cases of leukemia, brain tumors, how many scans were done and radiation dose absorbed by the brain and bone marrow. The study team counted 74 cases of leukemia, and 135 cases of brain cancer. The researchers concluded that the risk of brain tumors was tripled if children had two to three scans and the risk of leukemia was tripled with five to 10 scans.
An editorial in The Lancet noted that the study’s findings support earlier risk estimates that compared the dose of radiation received via a CT scans to amounts received by survivors of the atomic bombing of Japan, who had an increased risk of cancer. According to the editorial, at least a dozen other research groups around the world were studying or planning to study CT effects on children.
If you or someone you love developed leukemia, a brain tumor or another cancer that you believe may be the result of
childhood CT scans, you may have valuable legal rights. To find out how our CT scan cancer lawyers can help you, please fill out our online form, or call 1-800-YOURLAWYER (1-800-968-7529).
