CT Scan - Personal Cost/Benefit analysis..!
Discussion
I have a CT scan coming up, as part of a "belt and braces" investigation into a potential chest issue that has largely been ruled out now.
Some background: I had 2 suspected enlarged lymph nodes in neck, and some other symptoms ( a little back pain and gut pain)
Had that biopsied and ultrasounded, all normal and no concern. X-Ray of chest also normal. Several rounds of blood tests, a colonoscopy and further FIT/stool sample test. All normal and nothing dodgy. The back pain has completely gone. Indeed, the Radiologist who did the negative biopsy even said he wondered about the usefulness of a CT scan, due to radiation exposure.
Seeing as there seems to be nothing wrong, I am a little concerned about having the CT scan. I have read that all they do in healthy people is cause unnecessary worry, and show any "nodules" which many people have, and that which then require regular further scans to monitor, when 95/100 times they are completely benign.
There is also the Radiation exposure....
But then again, it would be nice to have a look inside!
As a 30's generally healthy person..... what would you do?
Some background: I had 2 suspected enlarged lymph nodes in neck, and some other symptoms ( a little back pain and gut pain)
Had that biopsied and ultrasounded, all normal and no concern. X-Ray of chest also normal. Several rounds of blood tests, a colonoscopy and further FIT/stool sample test. All normal and nothing dodgy. The back pain has completely gone. Indeed, the Radiologist who did the negative biopsy even said he wondered about the usefulness of a CT scan, due to radiation exposure.
Seeing as there seems to be nothing wrong, I am a little concerned about having the CT scan. I have read that all they do in healthy people is cause unnecessary worry, and show any "nodules" which many people have, and that which then require regular further scans to monitor, when 95/100 times they are completely benign.
There is also the Radiation exposure....
But then again, it would be nice to have a look inside!
As a 30's generally healthy person..... what would you do?
Edited by Krhuangbin on Tuesday 7th January 14:51
Krhuangbin said:
I have a CT scan coming up, as part of a "belt and braces" investigation into a potential chest issue that has largely been ruled out now.
Some background: I had 2 suspected enlarged lymph nodes in neck, and some other symptoms ( a little back pain and gut pain)
Had that biopsied and ultrasounded, all normal and no concern. X-Ray of chest also normal. Several rounds of blood tests, a colonoscopy and further FIT/stool sample test. All normal and nothing dodgy. The back pain has completely gone. Indeed, the Radiologist who did the negative biopsy even said he wondered about the usefulness of a CT scan, due to radiation exposure.
Seeing as there seems to be nothing wrong, I am a little concerned about having the CT scan. I have read that all they do in healthy people is cause unnecessary worry, and show any "nodules" which many people have, and that which then require regular further scans to monitor, when 95/100 times they are completely benign.
There is also the Radiation exposure....
But then again, it would be nice to have a look inside!
As a 30's generally healthy person..... what would you do?
The radiation exposure is literally F all compared to what a private individual already gets. And even then a tiny proportion of what classified radiation workers/airline crew, people living above fractured granite etc get. Do not worry about it. Seriously. Source: me - 30 years working in the field of radiation protection/decommissioning etc.Some background: I had 2 suspected enlarged lymph nodes in neck, and some other symptoms ( a little back pain and gut pain)
Had that biopsied and ultrasounded, all normal and no concern. X-Ray of chest also normal. Several rounds of blood tests, a colonoscopy and further FIT/stool sample test. All normal and nothing dodgy. The back pain has completely gone. Indeed, the Radiologist who did the negative biopsy even said he wondered about the usefulness of a CT scan, due to radiation exposure.
Seeing as there seems to be nothing wrong, I am a little concerned about having the CT scan. I have read that all they do in healthy people is cause unnecessary worry, and show any "nodules" which many people have, and that which then require regular further scans to monitor, when 95/100 times they are completely benign.
There is also the Radiation exposure....
But then again, it would be nice to have a look inside!
As a 30's generally healthy person..... what would you do?
Edited by Krhuangbin on Tuesday 7th January 14:51
Just do it.
Unless the CT scan has a clear, actionable purpose (e.g., addressing something the previous tests missed), you are within reason to discuss postponing or declining it. However, if peace of mind is worth the minor risks of radiation and possible follow-up, the scan could be valuable. Ultimately, the decision should align with your comfort level after consulting your doctor.
Personally I'd have the scan as it's a good indepth look if there are any underlying potential issues.
On an MRI scan 6yrs ago they found a cyst on my pancreas that I didn't know anything about and not subject to why I was having the scan in the first place. It's never caused an issue and up until that point nobody knew anything about it. I'm on the 'active surveillance list' and have scan every year to monitor it. I'd rather have a MRI every year and treat it like an annual health check up.
There are patients that get investigated for one thing and they then find something incidental and completely unrelated to why they're there.
The question is do you want to offer yourself up to finding something if you don't need a scan? I'd rather find out something early than too late.
On an MRI scan 6yrs ago they found a cyst on my pancreas that I didn't know anything about and not subject to why I was having the scan in the first place. It's never caused an issue and up until that point nobody knew anything about it. I'm on the 'active surveillance list' and have scan every year to monitor it. I'd rather have a MRI every year and treat it like an annual health check up.
There are patients that get investigated for one thing and they then find something incidental and completely unrelated to why they're there.
The question is do you want to offer yourself up to finding something if you don't need a scan? I'd rather find out something early than too late.
Krhuangbin said:
I have a CT scan coming up, as part of a "belt and braces" investigation into a potential chest issue that has largely been ruled out now.
Some background: I had 2 suspected enlarged lymph nodes in neck, and some other symptoms ( a little back pain and gut pain)
Had that biopsied and ultrasounded, all normal and no concern. X-Ray of chest also normal. Several rounds of blood tests, a colonoscopy and further FIT/stool sample test. All normal and nothing dodgy. The back pain has completely gone. Indeed, the Radiologist who did the negative biopsy even said he wondered about the usefulness of a CT scan, due to radiation exposure.
Seeing as there seems to be nothing wrong, I am a little concerned about having the CT scan. I have read that all they do in healthy people is cause unnecessary worry, and show any "nodules" which many people have, and that which then require regular further scans to monitor, when 95/100 times they are completely benign.
There is also the Radiation exposure....
But then again, it would be nice to have a look inside!
As a 30's generally healthy person..... what would you do?
You sound as though you understand the risks of over investigation well. Some background: I had 2 suspected enlarged lymph nodes in neck, and some other symptoms ( a little back pain and gut pain)
Had that biopsied and ultrasounded, all normal and no concern. X-Ray of chest also normal. Several rounds of blood tests, a colonoscopy and further FIT/stool sample test. All normal and nothing dodgy. The back pain has completely gone. Indeed, the Radiologist who did the negative biopsy even said he wondered about the usefulness of a CT scan, due to radiation exposure.
Seeing as there seems to be nothing wrong, I am a little concerned about having the CT scan. I have read that all they do in healthy people is cause unnecessary worry, and show any "nodules" which many people have, and that which then require regular further scans to monitor, when 95/100 times they are completely benign.
There is also the Radiation exposure....
But then again, it would be nice to have a look inside!
As a 30's generally healthy person..... what would you do?
Edited by Krhuangbin on Tuesday 7th January 14:51
Gassing Station | Health Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff