Since my surgery last September to remove my LVAD, I have had some problems with my sternum healing up and have had some pockets of fluid popping up. Because of the fluid, I have had four CAT (or CT) scans in the past several months. In my reading, I have been surprised by how much radiation one is exposed to in one scan. I have been researching this issue a little and am flabbergasted by what I am finding. Apparently, the risk of developing cancer later in life is exponentially increased by the radiation, especially because I am a young woman.
So it all comes down to risk verse benefits. My damaged heart is certainly a more immediate concern than cancer down the line... because without a healthier heart, I won't make it to "down the line." However, do you think the medical community should be doing a better job of educating us on the risks of this procedure? In my researching, I found quite a few articles from doctors warning that we are going to have a cancer epidemic on our hands because of the overuse of this useful scan. Anyone else have any thoughts or wisdom on the subject?
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