[CT scans and cancer risk: time for reassessment?]

CT imaging increases cancer risk, although the exact magnitude remains uncertain due to limited primary evidence. A recent study incorporating detailed scanning- and patient data from U.S. nationwide registries and surveys estimated an average cancer risk of approximately 0.17% per CT scan. This study employed a similar risk model also used in the Dutch guidelines. However, the study findings are not directly generalizable to the Dutch context, given differences in radiation doses and assumptions regarding life expectancy. The results therefore do not warrant changes to current policy. However, in an era of growing CT use, it is very important to carefully apply clinical justification of CT scans, in which probability of disease, life expectancy, cost-effectiveness and other patient related factors frequently outweigh radiation risks.