By: Rachael Rettner, MyHealthNewsDaily Staff Writer
Published: 04/06/2012 11:04 AM EDT on MyHealthNewsDaily
Obese people may be exposed to more radiation when they undergo a CT scans or X-rays, compared with normal-weight people, a new study says.
The study, conducted using computer models,suggests the organs of obese individuals receive up to 62 percent more radiation energy during a CT scan, compared with those of normal weight individuals.
The increase in radiation exposure occurs because radiologists often increase the power settings when doing scans on obese people, said study researcher Aiping Ding, of the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, N.Y. When scanners are used on their normal settings, the image is blurry because the extra fat tissue shields the organs from the X-rays.
As a result, the machines generate higher-energy X-rays that expose people to more radiation, Ding said.
Very high doses of radiation are known to increase cancer risk, but the risk from doses used in medical imaging tests, are less clear, according to the American Cancer Society.
The increased risk from a single CT scan is small compared to the medical benefit, but it is prudent to avoid unnecessary scans, for any patient, regardless of weight, Ding said.
As long as CT scans are used only when necessary, the benefits of the scan will still outweigh the risks, said Dr. Nagy Elsayyad, an assistant professor in the department of radiation oncology at the University of Miami Sylvester Cancer Center, who was not involved in the study.
The extra risk posed to an obese individual from any one scan is so slight that it will not change the way doctors use the scans, Elsayyad said.
Ding and colleagues generated 10 three-dimensional computer models of normal weight, overweight and obese individuals known as "phantoms." The researchers then simulated a CT scan on the phantoms using different settings, and calculated the radiation exposure for each body type.
On the normal setting, excess fat in the obese phantoms protected organs from radiation, resulting in a 59 percent decrease in radiation exposure to organs deep in the abdomen, such as the colon.
But when the scanner settings were adjusted to obtain a clear image, there was a 59 percent increase in radiation exposure for obese women, and a 62 percent increase in radiation exposure for obese men, compared with normal weight people, the researchers said.
Currently, adjustment of the CT scanner for a better image is done by trial and error. The researchers are developing a software program to cut down on this guess work, which could reduce the amount of radiation people are exposed to. The program allows researchers to test scanner settings and chose one that will minimize the radiation dose while still providing a clear image, Ding said.
The study will be published April 6 in the journal Physics in Medicine & Biology.
Follow MyHealthNewsDaily staff writer Rachael Rettner on Twitter @RachaelRettner. Find us on Facebook.
Copyright 2012 MyHealthNewsDaily, a TechMediaNetwork company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.