The scan that finds the problem could also be creating one.
While X-rays, CT scans, and other diagnostic imaging tools are routinely used to detect disease, the cumulative radiation exposure they deliver is rarely discussed — and may be doing more harm than good over time.
Studies show that repeated exposure to ionizing radiation from medical imaging can increase the risk of cellular damage and even cancer, particularly with high-dose scans like CTs.
In fact, research published in journals such as The Lancet and JAMA has linked excessive imaging to an increased lifetime cancer risk, especially in children and young adults and yet we continue to use these scans as a part of standardized care.
Could the very tools used to diagnose illness actually be contributing to the progression of it?
What’s more concerning?
These tools are often overused, not just in emergencies, but in routine screenings and monitoring — sometimes without clear evidence of improved outcomes.
Studies have shown that advanced imaging is one of the most overused and profitable components of modern healthcare.
For example:
A single CT scan can expose you to the equivalent of 100+ chest X-rays
Imaging can account for 30–50% of a hospital’s diagnostic billing
Repeat scans are often performed with no change in treatment
Which begs the question: Why are we continuing to scan so often?
It’s a critical question for anyone beginning to take their health seriously.
Understanding the risks of diagnostic procedures is just as important as understanding the risks of treatment.
True health begins with informed consent — and that includes imaging.
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