The ancient spice known as "red gold"
A new study, published in JAMA Internal Medicine on April 14, has raised concerns about the long-term risks of one of the most common diagnostic tools in medicine: the CT scan. Researchers estimate that roughly 103,000 cancer cases could eventually be linked to computed tomography (CT) exams performed in 2023 alone in the United States.
Each year, around 93 million CT scans are performed on about 62 million patients in the US. While these scans are essential for diagnosing a wide range of conditions, they expose patients to ionizing radiation—which the study warns may contribute significantly to future cancer diagnoses.
"If current practices persist, CT-associated cancer could eventually account for 5% of all new cancer diagnoses annually," the researchers noted. The projected risk is especially concerning for children and adolescents, whose developing tissues are more sensitive to radiation. Still, adults—who receive the majority of CT scans—are expected to represent the highest number of potential radiation-induced cancers.
These findings highlight a broader truth: cancer, while sometimes unavoidable, is often influenced by preventable factors in our daily lives. But although cancer remains one of the leading causes of death globally, there are proactive steps we can take to reduce our risk.
Click through to discover surprising habits that could increase your cancer risk—and how to avoid them.
Researchers have found contraceptive pills increase women’s chances of developing cervical cancer. The longer you use them, the more the risk multiplies.
If you like a cup of tea to keep you going, make sure you let it cool down first. Very hot tea is associated with esophagus cancer.
If you do not use protection, then you might catch an STD. STIs and STDs increase your chances of getting cancer. In particular, human papillomavirus (HPV) is specifically linked with cancers in the genital area.
In 2010, a study found that most shopping receipts use a chemical called bisphenol-A. It's a hormone chemical with links to an increased risk of cancer. So consider not asking for a receipt, or opt for a digital one.
It is sad but true–alcohol is bad for you in almost every way. Researchers have predicted that 6% of yearly cancer deaths worldwide are due directly to drinking.
Eating meat that is cured or treated in some way significantly increases your chance of cancer. According to the World Health Organization, it is as dangerous as tobacco. Processed meat is particularly connected to bowel cancer.
You may not realize it, but it's possible that small amounts of the poison arsenic are in your tap water. It can run in from factory waste. When ingested, it increases your risk of skin, liver, lung, kidney, and bladder cancer. Consider buying a water filter.
Industrial workers and embalmers may be around the chemical formaldehyde. The ingestion of it causes cancers such as myeloid leukemia and cancer of the nasopharynx.
This is a synthetic compound that is used in electrical equipment. Scientists have found that PCBs in humans are linked with increased rates of brain cancer, gastrointestinal tract cancer, biliary tract cancer, gall bladder cancer, melanomas, and liver cancer.
Sources: (The Guardian) (Live Science) (Insider)
Radiation from CT scans may cause over 100,000 new cancer cases, study finds
Ionizing radiation exposure raises concerns
FOOD Disease
A new study, published in JAMA Internal Medicine on April 14, has raised concerns about the long-term risks of one of the most common diagnostic tools in medicine: the CT scan. Researchers estimate that roughly 103,000 cancer cases could eventually be linked to computed tomography (CT) exams performed in 2023 alone in the United States.
Each year, around 93 million CT scans are performed on about 62 million patients in the US. While these scans are essential for diagnosing a wide range of conditions, they expose patients to ionizing radiation—which the study warns may contribute significantly to future cancer diagnoses.
"If current practices persist, CT-associated cancer could eventually account for 5% of all new cancer diagnoses annually," the researchers noted. The projected risk is especially concerning for children and adolescents, whose developing tissues are more sensitive to radiation. Still, adults—who receive the majority of CT scans—are expected to represent the highest number of potential radiation-induced cancers.
These findings highlight a broader truth: cancer, while sometimes unavoidable, is often influenced by preventable factors in our daily lives. But although cancer remains one of the leading causes of death globally, there are proactive steps we can take to reduce our risk.
Click through to discover surprising habits that could increase your cancer risk—and how to avoid them.