• Question: Is a CT scan bad for you?

    Asked by Beverley to Anna, Hayley, Iain, Rebecca on 15 Jun 2015.
    • Photo: Iain Bethune

      Iain Bethune answered on 15 Jun 2015:

      Yes, but not very! A whole-body CT scan gives a dose of 10 mSv (milli-Sievert, the unit of absorbed radiation). This is about what you would receive in 4 years on average just going about your daily life, and has little effect on your life expectancy. On the plus side, having a CT scan will likely help doctors identify an illness that will greatly increase your life expectancy. So if you need a CT scan, have one! If you don’t, then don’t.

    • Photo: anon

      anon answered on 15 Jun 2015:

      Iain’s said it all 🙂

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