If asked, most people residing in western Pennsylvania would likely say that medical tests are a positive thing. After all, the whole idea behind them is that they make it possible to determine if someone has a condition that needs to be treated. Because of this many may be surprised to hear that certain tests may actually contribute to certain illnesses developing.

The tests in question are those that involve high doses of radiation, such as CT scans. A variety of studies conducted over the course of the last decade indicate that some individuals who underwent CT scans were, at a later point in life, at a higher risk of being diagnosed with cancer. This is particularly worth noting since so many CT scans are now performed.

One healthcare facility has launched a program to track its patients' exposure to radiation. The reasoning behind the program is that is that it will help healthcare providers make educated decisions about whether to order a CT scan when another option may be available. For instance, in some cases ultrasounds or magnetic resonance imaging may be possible.

Not all believe that tracking radiation exposure in a medical setting is a good idea. This is in large part due to the fact that radiation levels that are considered safe have yet to be established. Looking forward, one can imagine a situation in which a physician could face legal action via a medical malpractice lawsuit after patients who were often exposed to radiation via medical testing developed cancer. Though the case would at this point be difficult to prove, it is a possibility.

Source: American Medical News, "Project tallies lifetime radiation from health scans," Christine S. Moyer, June 24, 2013