Am I at cancer risk after multiple CT and MRI scans at 29?

Question

Hi doctor,

I am 29 years old. Within six months of having a delivery, I have done a head CT and three chest CT studies to rule out PE. My first PE study was done with a protective shield on my chest to reduce the radiation to my breasts. I did not have any shielding on my second study.

During my third study, I did not have any shielding. They used a dose in pediatric mode, resulting in 6 mSv radiation. I have no plans on receiving a CT again. I am willing to know the risk of having cancer from these scans.

I have also done a lung MRI for monitoring the growth. I would like to know it from a radiologist's point of view. I am worried about developing cancer at this point. I also had an abdominal and pelvic CT two years ago.

Kindly help.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

CT of the head might have given you two mSv of radiation. CT of the abdomen and pelvis might have given you 14 mSv radiation. A CT scan of the chest might have given you 45 mSv radiation. The total radiation dose received is approximately 61 mSv. You might have an additional cancer risk of 0.842011 %. We have used standard data to calculate the maximum possible dose. As the dose used was six mSv, the risk is less. So the chance of having cancer is less.

I hope this information helps you.

Feel free to reach out in case of further queries.

Thank you.

Answer 2

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Cancer is a condition where a few abnormal cells start multiplying indiscriminately, and they form a tumor mass in a particular organ. The time taken for the development of cancer is undetectable, and the time is unpredictable. Most cancers often occur after the age of 60.

At this age, many people start to have defective cells. It may lose the ability to repair itself, and this leads to the formation of a tumor. In your case, the radiation dose is very low, and the incidence of cancer due to the radiation is negligible at this moment; 10 years is too soon to think of the disease due to radiation.

I hope this information helps you.

Feel free to reach out in case of further queries.

Thank you.