Committee warns of risk of private computed tomography

Private clinics should stop offering whole body computed tomography scans to people who are without symptoms, because of a lack of evidence that the benefits outweigh the risks, the UK’s radiation watchdog has said.

In its report the Committee on Medical Aspects of Radiation in the Environment also says that computed tomography should not be used to check for lung cancer, because there is no evidence of benefit. In addition, anyone who presents with any symptoms that may indicate a serious condition should be referred back to their GP rather than be offered a scan.

The committee is concerned about the increasing amount of radiation that people are being exposed to. It estimates that in the United …