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It's a question medical professionals have been asking for years. Do radiation levels in medical imaging from CT scans pose a threat of cancer?
According to a report issued by the Institute of Medicine last December, the short answer is yes.
Health experts from the IOM reviewed all the available scientific data available about potential factors of breast cancer. Everything from pesticides to household chemicals and the BPA in water bottles.
This study was asked for by the breast cancer foundation Susan G. Komen for the Cure.
The IOM identified two factors that definitely increased risk: post-menopausal hormone replacement therapy and radiation exposure from medical imaging.
Radiologists at the Community Hospital of Monterey Peninsula said they've been making a big push to lower radiation exposure levels in CAT Scans for the past 10 years.
"We have to assume, although it is not settled science, this is a potential risk to our patients. So, as a physician, our goal is to first do no harm," said Dr. Anthony Filly, a radiologist at Community Hospital of Monterey Peninsula.
There's a "catch-22" here.
Radiologists must use radiation to conduct CT scans. The higher the dose of radiation, the better the picture quality and the more doctors can see what's potentially wrong.
That's why Dr. Filly is working so hard to lower the radiation in CT scans, while maintaining their quality.
