Radiation Exposure and CT Scans

Concern over radiation exposure prompts efforts to curb CT scan use.
In the Wall Street Journal (3/2) Informed Patient column, Laura Landro writes that federal regulators, radiology groups, and hospitals are launching new efforts to prevent unnecessary radiation exposure from CT scans. For its part, the FDA will implement new safety requirements for CT device manufacturers, and the agency said it will back programs that encourage physicians to consider whether the benefits from scanning outweigh the risks.
Children may be at higher risk of cancer from radiation exposure. The Wall Street Journal (3/1, Landro) "Health Blog" reported that although concern over radiation exposure centers on efforts to curb CT scan use in adults, children remain at higher risk of cancer due to their size and life expectancy. Now, the Society for Pediatric Radiology has sponsored the "Image Gently" campaign, which encourages using smaller amounts of radiation while scanning, covering reproductive organs, and considering ultrasound instead.