Medical Testing Using Radiation and Cancer Risk

Radiology tests and procedures can expose a person to radiation. The level of radiation depends on the test and what is being looked at. Over time, exposure to this radiation can increase your risk of cancer.

The amount of radiation from a test or procedure can be different for each machine and the practice of the person doing the test. Having to take repeat images of an area can impact how much radiation is received. Different types of tests and procedures have different levels of radiation. For example, a CT scan exposes you to much less radiation than an angiogram of the arteries in your heart.

There are no research studies looking at this type of exposure, the related risk, or patient outcomes. There is a model (called BEIR VII) that calculates how the amount of radiation you receive in various tests may result in increased cancer risk.

You should talk to your provider when a test is ordered so you can think about the risks and benefits. This can help you make an informed decision about each test. Ask questions like:

• Is this test needed?
• What will we learn from it?
• Will this change my treatment plan?

Learn more about radiology testing and cancer risk from the American College of Radiology, Food & Drug Administration and the American Cancer Society.