A new study suggests CT scans contribute to significantly more cancer cases than previously thought, estimating over 100,000 radiation-induced cancers annually in the US from 93 million scans performed in 2023. This equates to roughly 5% of all new cancer cases, comparable to obesity and alcohol consumption. However, some experts dispute the methodology, arguing the estimates are inflated due to including patients already ill. While acknowledging the risks, they emphasize the life-saving benefits of CT scans and the ongoing efforts to reduce radiation exposure.

Prepared by Olivia Bennett and reviewed by editorial team.