risk of cancer increases with exposure to low dose radiation

[Lani]

Not to scare anyone not to have a CT scan or nuclear scan (PET, bone scan, etc)--YOU DO ALREADY HAVE CANCER, of course-- but perhaps to warn those near and dear to keep a diary of how many low dose radiation procedures they have had (CT,PET, bone scan etc) and take it out and show it to their doctors prior to discussing whether there are any alternative imaging procedures which give the same information without radiation (ie, MRI, ultrasound etc).

Not everyone gets all their care at the same facility, and doctors may not be aware of how much cumulative radiation you may already have had.

Unfortunately, MRIs usually cost more than CT scans so the bean counters may try to throw up roadblocks.

They are making progress in decreasing the radiation dose per CT--let's hope that continues.

[Henny]

Hi Lani,

Do you have any links to studies on low dose radiation?

Thanks so much

[Lani]

What are you referring to? Risk of all kinds of cancer from CT scans etc?

Risk of cancer in xray technicians, female orthopaedic surgeons, flight attendants of airlines utilizing the polar route?

If you google low dose radiation and cancer, or put the same in pubmed, you will get an avalanche.

If you ask about her2+ bc specifically, I haven't really found anything particular.

Hope this helps

[Henny]

Thank you Lani,
I was wondering about long term radiation exposure and any breast cancer. I don't recall seeing much about that but will google and get that avalanche going

[pibikay]

just wondering if this thread can throw some light on an issue which is worrying me
Hema haxs bone mets in the spine and I asked the onc about radiation for that as it is painfull.He tols us that he will not adivce radiation as it can be done only once and Hema was responding to Herceptin and Tykerb.Is radiation therapy limited because of the fall out of low dose radiation?