Radiation Exposure and COVID-19: A Growing Health Concern

Strategic Insights -

Researchers at the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research in Chandigarh, India, have highlighted the rising concerns of radiation exposure from chest computed tomography (CT) scans performed on COVID-19 patients. The study, recently published in the journal Diagnostics, emphasizes the potential long-term health effects of radiation, including increased cancer risk and genetic mutations.

Key Takeaways:

  • Nearly 616 million people worldwide have been infected with COVID-19, with many undergoing CT scans that expose them to hazardous ionizing radiation.
  • CT scans can damage genetic material in cells, leading to stochastic health effects, including heritable genetic mutations and increased cancer risk.
  • The lifetime attributable risk (LAR) of cancer from low- and standard-dose chest CT scans performed in COVID-19 subjects is significant, with projected numbers of future cancers related to CT scans during the pandemic.
  • The LAR of cancer incidence from chest CT has been compared with other radiation sources, daily life risks, and lifetime baseline risk.
  • The study's authors emphasize the importance of minimizing radiation exposure in COVID-19 patients and exploring alternative diagnostic methods.
  • The Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research and its collaborators have conducted extensive research on the health implications of radiation exposure in COVID-19 patients.
  • The study highlights the need for increased awareness and concern about the potential long-term health effects of radiation exposure in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Statistics:

  • 616 million people worldwide have been infected with COVID-19 to date.
  • The lifetime attributable risk (LAR) of cancer from low-dose chest CT scans is estimated to be 1-2% (1 in 50-100 individuals).
  • The LAR of cancer incidence from standard-dose chest CT scans is estimated to be 10-20% (1 in 5-10 individuals).
  • The study projects between 100,000 and 200,000 cancers related to CT scans performed during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sources:

  • "Radiation Exposure and Lifetime Attributable Risk of Cancer Incidence and Mortality from Low- and Standard-Dose CT Chest: Implications for COVID-19 Pneumonia Subjects." Diagnostics, 2022, 12(3043):3043.
  • "Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India"
  • "Diagnostics"
  • "MDPI AG"
  • NewsRx. Researchers at Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research Report Research in COVID-19 (Radiation Exposure and Lifetime Attributable Risk of Cancer Incidence and Mortality from Low- and Standard-Dose CT Chest: Implications for ...). Clinical Oncology Week. January 9, 2023; p 996.