In this risk model, the 93 million CT examinations performed in 62 million patients in 2023 were projected to result in approximately 103 000 future cancers. Although the per-examination cancer risk was higher in children, higher CT utilization among adults accounted for the majority of the projected cancers.
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41 sats \ 0 replies \ @Undisciplined 3 May
1/1000 cancer risk seems very high for a scan that's often precautionary.
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21 sats \ 3 replies \ @Signal312 3 May
And I'll betcha the actual numbers are much worse. There's major interest groups (doctors, hospitals), all interested in pushing these kinds of tests, and minimizing any potential concerns.
Something similar to colonoscopy. In most of Europe, they don't regularly do a colonoscopy. Instead, they do another, non-invasive stool test, the FIT test.
But in the US, what with our really powerful medical lobby, they routinely do the most invasive/expensive test.
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134 sats \ 2 replies \ @kepford 3 May
Its not even all sinister. If you start a business to deliver product A and the masses don't know that product B would be better you are unlikely to offer product B. That is, unless there is competition in the field. Which in the US under our state regulations and controls over sick care is largely absent.
The people aren't looking for other options. Why would they. It's follow the leader. It would not occur to them.
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149 sats \ 1 reply \ @gmd 4 May
Doctor's generally don't make any money from these scans unless you own an imaging center which is rare. It's a difficult 10x longer conversation to convince a family they don't need a CT and you are often met with scorn.
Combine that with ridiculous malpractice settlements ($29M here) that demand perfection beyond standard of care you are too often forced to pull the trigger on the donut of truth.
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99 sats \ 0 replies \ @kepford 4 May
Yeah, this is why I am slow to apply malice. It's the system man... not a conspiracy.
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0 sats \ 0 replies \ @kepford 3 May
Probably nothing.
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