Are CT Scans good or bad for yearly maintenance test of kidneys?

Cheri,

The Health Physics Society has a page about the relative safety of CT scans.

One fact I found interesting was their observation that "there are places around the world where the natural background radiation dose is as high as 150 mSv per year and the populations living in such areas show no increased incidence of cancer."

We can all choose what we worry about, but this seems to fairly low on the true danger list.

As always, I wish you, and everyone here, the very best in treatment, outcome, and general happiness.

Zach

Thanks for those who answered my particular issues I posted about, I wish more who read this would just give me a quick reply if they have any reservations of the test or if they're okay with it. I'm very concerned about whether it helps or hurts in the end and I really want to know how most others in the same boat feel about it.

Rosie thanks so much for your insights on the issue. My first question is what is IVP?

I too have concerns about any x-rays to vulnerable parts of the body. My doctor doesn't seem to want to discuss an MRI, all she said was I don't have to get a CT scan if I don't want to , but she let me know that she's been recommending it for years because she has the expertise and she made me feel like I was questioning her ability. Who am I to do that?Nothing was further from the truth, I just wanted to know if there were other tests available that didn't involve radiation. How Exactly do you INSIST on an MRI? My doctor doesn't seem to want to recommend anything but CT Scans because she thinks they give superior results. Funny thing is I just started as a patient with her and if I insist she may just tell me to find another doctor, especially since she got her back up about my questioning the test she recommended. I suppose I should start looking for a more flexible doctor who won't get bent out of shape when I ask questions about alternative tests. She is resistant to my insistance, she knows what's right and that's that. Who am I but the cancer patient? Why would I question the high and mighty doctor? I'm very depressed over this attitude because I want to be involved in the process to and I want to avoid anything that involves radiation if I can. The stress is not good for any BC patient.

I appreciate the tip on reading the guidelines. Will do.

Yes, I'd love to hear that answer as well. When I was in Dr. Stein's waiting room I seem to recall several well-to-do Europeans who had come to Norris specifically for bladder cancer treatment. You'd think they could have saved lots of time and trouble by just having a more advanced and superior treatment done in Europe.

Europe is way ahead of the U.S. in bladder cancer and other medical treatments.
Tell me how? Pat

Cheri, I also have great reservations about CT Scans and IVP tests because of the radiation. I have felt that about mamograms for many years also. Now we are seeing that there is concern about radiation and changes that could promote cancer. I insisted on MRI's once I learned the true risks of radiation from CT and IVP's. I then learned, however, that European guidelines for low grade superficial bladder cancer does not even include monitoring by CT or IVP. Read over the guidelines that are listed in the topic under superficial bladder cancer. I find Europe is way ahead of the U.S. in bladder cancer and other medical treatments. Rosie

Hi Cheri,

I am IVP dye allergic but there is an iodine free injection available at larger facilities. Mayo does my tests with that. My local facilities don't have that available as they are not that big. Mayos said they get it by the truckloads. I haven't been as concerned about the lesser likely possible effects as I worry more about the cancer and the allergic reaction. Take care, Holly