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Radiation exposure from diagnostic medical imaging is low and should not cause concern about any future harmful effects, said a radiologic scientist from Baylor College of Medicine.
“People should not skip necessary medical imaging procedures, such as mammography, radiography (x-ray) and computed tomography (CT), because they are afraid the radiation exposure might cause cancer,” said Dr. Stewart Bushong, professor of radiology at BCM. “There is no measurable increased risk when imaging procedures are administered appropriately.”
It is important to understand the different kinds of imaging procedures and the amount of radiation exposure, Bushong said. “When you look at the amount of radiation exposure in each, the doses are very low.”
Radiation dose is measured in millisieverts, or mSv. Approximately 100 mSv would be an example of a dose of radiation which could cause concern, Bushong said.
Aounts of radiation in some common procedures include: mammography, 0.1 mSv; radiography, 1 mSv; and CT scan, 10 mSv.
Radiation exposure from diagnostic medical imaging is low and should not cause concern about any future harmful effects, said a radiologic scientist from Baylor College of Medicine.
“People should not skip necessary medical imaging procedures, such as mammography, radiography (x-ray) and computed tomography (CT), because they are afraid the radiation exposure might cause cancer,” said Dr. Stewart Bushong, professor of radiology at BCM. “There is no measurable increased risk when imaging procedures are administered appropriately.”
It is important to understand the different kinds of imaging procedures and the amount of radiation exposure, Bushong said. “When you look at the amount of radiation exposure in each, the doses are very low.”
Radiation dose is measured in millisieverts, or mSv. Approximately 100 mSv would be an example of a dose of radiation which could cause concern, Bushong said.
Aounts of radiation in some common procedures include: mammography, 0.1 mSv; radiography, 1 mSv; and CT scan, 10 mSv.
