[cancercured] Re: PET scan toxicity?

From the research that I have read the CT scan is equivalent to 150 normal Xrays
Since my chemo stopped every six months I have had a CT scan. I now glow in the dark.

Just kidding

Al

breathedeepnow wrote:
I've done a bit more research into PET scans, and I am wondering now
if there is not a significant difference between the radiation
delivered by CT scanning and that delivered by PET scanning.
The reasons:
The PET scanning process appears to be that the client drinks or is
injected with a a radioactive tracer substance, a substance that
appears to have just enough radioactivity so that the PET scanner can detect it in the body. After 45 minutes or so, when the client goes through the PET scanning machine, the machine "detects"/identifies/photographs the most radioactive parts
of the body.
The CT scanning process appears to be one in which many actual x-rays
are taken of the body or body part being scanned.
So it may be that the source I quoted simply DOES NOT KNOW how very
much radiation is delivered by CT scanning, and so makes the mistake
of saying that the radiation received during a PET scan is minimal,
and is similar to that received during a CT scan.
One thing is very clear to me: All these different, "official"
authorities are either ignorant as to the amount of radiation
delivered to the client who receives a CT scan, or they are purposely soft-pedaling the dangers of the radiation one receives from a CT scan.
As of now, I am thinking that a PET scan actually exposes a client to significantly less radiation than a CT scan, due to what appears to be the fact that the only radiation exposure during a PET scan is
from the tracer one takes into one's body. The actual PET scan
machine appears to detect radiation rather than administer radiation, as the CT scanner machine does.
I would appreciate enlightenment on the subject by a more
knowledgeable member.
Bottom line still is to AVOID unnecessary tests. The member who posed the question about PET scans is in remission and her blood testing is negative. Is there good reason to administer a PET scan or scans?
Along with its possible dangers, PET scanning is quite expensive.
Best of health,
Elliot

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