A study, part funded by the Department of Health, found that if used a number of times, CT scans could increase the risk of both leukaemia and brain cancer in children younger than 15.
Published in The Lancet, the study found that children exposed to multiple doses of ionising radiation could triple their risk of contracting leukaemia and brain cancer.
The study said: “Although CT scans are very useful clinically, potential cancer risks exist from associated ionising radiation, in particular for children who are more radiosensitive than adults.”
However, the researchers concluded that the medical benefits of conducting CT scans outweigh the risks.
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