Clinician Awareness Key to Reducing Imaging Radiation Risk

Cynthia E. Keen | AuntMinnie.com | February 13, 2012

Educating referring physicians about the cancer risks from imaging exams is key to reducing patient exposure to medical radiation, according to an article in CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians. Other important elements of reducing exposure are more assertive radiologists and increased use of healthcare IT.

The 26-page article with 236 bibliographic references, authored by staff from the U.S. National Cancer Institute (NCI), provides a summary of key epidemiologic and experimental data on cancer risks associated with diagnostic imaging procedures. It also proposes a framework of strategies for reducing future cancer risks to patients who undergo imaging exams at high radiation doses (CA: Cancer J Clin, February 3, 2012)...