http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articl...20426_DNL_art_1

Radiation Imaging Tests Increase Cancer and Heart Disease Risks



Do be careful about rad exposure, especially CT and even more so CT high resolution. Keep records of ALL yr rad exposures and always run past doctor if in doubt - or search out information on the internet. Try if possible to take another route : MRI, Ultrasound, Thermal scan.

Interesting to see the info on mammography at the bottom of that article too, especially as I have just received an appointment for one. I had already decided on the basis of personal research that I was going to have the first one offered as a "baseline", but then decline any further ones and just go for self examination. I came to the conclusion that there was more risk of me developing breast cancer from mammograms than there was from not having them (as long as I did self-exam regularly). Given that I don't have any kind of family history of breast cancer it really didn't seem a good bet to have the regular mammograms. Of course if they had offered ultrasounds instead, I'd have no problems with regular screening.

I still don't understand why national health services do routine mammograms - all the evidence seems to be that a national screening programme just doesn't improve odds at all. In fact I would think it would reduce them - not only for the reason that women become complacent about self exam in between the three year screenings and 3 years is a long time for a tumour to grow beyond easily treatable, but also that studies have shown a higher incidence of breast cancer in screened groups.

I'm generally very aware about cumulative radiation, and would avoid xrays unless they were the absolute best imaging for the job, and CT scans even more so.

Oh yes, there has been much medical and media coverage recently on mammograms and the dangers of. Also, was pointed up, more cancer in those screened than in those not - mind you, that stat could be manipulated...n=100. 75 are scanned, 70 develop cancer. 25 do not develop cancer. QED scans cause cancer? Errrr-yeeeees..Like, hang on, skewered numbers! <shakes head!>