CT scan radiation warnings ignored by FDA

[formerlurker]

CT scan radiation warnings ignored by FDATuesday, March 30, 2010

 
LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Approximately 70 million CT scans are performed in the U.S. every year. But now, government scientists say the FDA has ignored warnings about the radiation risk.

Radiologists say a 10-minute virtual colonoscopy can detect colon polyps 90 percent of the time. But are they worth the risk of exposure to radiation?

"For example, the radiation dose of a single CT scan of the abdomen is roughly equivalent to the dose of 400 chest X-rays," says Dr. Jeffrey Shuren, FDA.

An FDA panel is asking the government to make an official recommendation on the use of CT scanning.

One doctor claimed he was rebuffed when he told higher-ups he was worried over radiation dosing from diagnostic scanning tests -- especially virtual colonoscopies.

http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=news/health/your_health&id=7359279



Well now, I guess the original thread on this in which a poster was rather slammed should now be looked at again in a new light.

[formerlurker]

This was just on fox and friends -- a three member physician panel all warned ctscans are used too frequently.

[JohnnyReb]

There will be more CAT-scans after Obamacare kicks in....they'll bring in a stray cat to sniff you for whatever.

[Hawkgirl]

  here we go again.

If the benefit outweighs the risk....
CT scans diagnose everything from strokes to bleeds to tumors....ANYWHERE IN THE BODY.  It is a diagnostic tool.  How else is a doctor supposed to see inside your body?  We can go back to the old way, and have an exploratory laparatomy if you are afraid of a little radiation.  Google it...that's what they did in the old days.

[bkg]

here we go again.

If the benefit outweighs the risk....
CT scans diagnose everything from strokes to bleeds to tumors....ANYWHERE IN THE BODY.  It is a diagnostic tool.  How else is a doctor supposed to see inside your body?  We can go back to the old way, and have an exploratory laparatomy if you are afraid of a little radiation.  Google it...that's what they did in the old days.

Wanna move this right to fight club? 

[Hawkgirl]

Wanna move this right to fight club? 

Nope!  

[Lacarnut]

here we go again.

If the benefit outweighs the risk....
CT scans diagnose everything from strokes to bleeds to tumors....ANYWHERE IN THE BODY.  It is a diagnostic tool.  How else is a doctor supposed to see inside your body?  We can go back to the old way, and have an exploratory laparatomy if you are afraid of a little radiation.  Google it...that's what they did in the old days.

You gotta die from something. Me, just shoot me up with those rems of radiation when used as a diagnostic tool.
Let's see, as a smoker I have had at least 30 chest x-rays....worked as a radiographer x-raying wells on submarines...x-rays on my sinus and teeth.....several MRi's.... years and years of radiation from the sun playing golf. Crap, I should be dead by now.

[Hawkgirl]

You gotta die from something. Me, just shoot me up with those rems of radiation when used as a diagnostic tool.
Let's see, as a smoker I have had at least 30 chest x-rays....worked as a radiographer x-raying wells on submarines...x-rays on my sinus and teeth.....several MRi's.... years and years of radiation from the sun playing golf. Crap, I should be dead by now.

  Me too...I've been in the radiology field for 20 years.  First as a general radiographer, then as a CT tech, now I'm in managagement...but I know those evil xrays are lurking around me still...even with the lead lined walls...

[Woodhick]

The truth be know as to why they order x-rays, ctScans, mri's, so ofen, IMHO is the Dr's have to cover their own ass from the ambulance chaseing lawyers

[rich_t]

The truth be know as to why they order x-rays, ctScans, mri's, so ofen, IMHO is the Dr's have to cover their own ass from the ambulance chaseing lawyers

BINGO!

[Hawkgirl]

The truth be know as to why they order x-rays, ctScans, mri's, so ofen, IMHO is the Dr's have to cover their own ass from the ambulance chaseing lawyers

That is certainly a reason why we do so many exams...it's called defensive medicine...and you'll find it at every emergency room and hospital.

[bkg]

That is certainly a reason why we do so many exams...it's called defensive medicine...and you'll find it at every emergency room and hospital.

Which, despite the so-called reform, is going to get worse with Obamacare... except now you won't be allowed to do the scans at all, since they'll be rationed... And people will be allowed, indeed encouraged, to sue more often to hasten the move to single payer.

[Inga]

CT scan, Radiation or even Chemo, there are things you can do to keep the the red and white blood cell in balanced.Along with the increase of killer cells.

I've had testimonials come back to the store after customers have had radiation, or chemo treatments for various conditions, with good blood reports. The doctors were baffled, for the simply fact that the patients blood counts were up, they felt good, and less nausea and less side effects.

They were on Essiac tea, Maitake mushroom, AHCC (hybridize Mushroom),or Graviola.Or a combination of.

They've taking it with they treatments.And now some doctors are recommending patients take it with they're treatments.It seems more doctors are listen to the patient and the FDA is looking farther into it. I'm glad to see more open minds.

[bkg]

Friend's sister was just diagnosed with a brain tumor...

Thanks to use of a CT Scan. Thank GOD for CT Scans.

[Hawkgirl]

Friend's sister was just diagnosed with a brain tumor...

Thanks to use of a CT Scan. Thank GOD for CT Scans.

Sorry to hear about your friend's sister.   I'm glad she got the tests she needed...and I'm glad they were available for her.