There is little doubt that advances in CT imaging technology have revolutionized the way many diseases are diagnosed and monitored. However, rapidly expanding indications for the technology, including full body scans and lung scans, have raised concerns about its potential overuse. This story does a great job of outlining the problem of overuse of CT imaging and the implications of the harms of radiation exposure.
The story is notable for quantifying how many excess cases of cancer can be expected by the increase in radiation exposure. But given the speculative nature of the calculations of cancer risks, the story does a good job of providing the necessary cautions in interpreting these numbers.
The story avoids the tendency to sensationalize the risks outlined by the source articles. CT scans used primarily for screening tests are rightly criticized. On balance, this is a very insightful article.
The story does not discuss the costs of the scans.
The story may subtly oversell the benefits of treatment. It is not clear that the source articles provide good information about the number of surgeries avoided, difficult diagnoses made, or lives saved due to CT scanning. The story inaccurately states that "no-one questions the value of the tests for allowing doctors to quickly diagnose…problems." There are many problems, even those listed, that can be diagnosed with modalities other than CT that are less invasive, costly or harmful.
The story does a good job of describing the harms of radiation exposure due to CT scans. Notably, the story comments on how many excess cases of cancer could be explained by the radiation exposure and that some of the risk is easily avoidable: some scans are unnecessary.
The story does a good job of describing the available evidence that CT scans are harmful. The story details that the risk associated from CT scans is extrapolated from radiation exposures at Hiroshima and Nagasaki and from industrial situations. One study cited in the story used a simulation (dummies receiving radiation in CT scanners.) The critics and proponents of the methodology are both given voice. The story mentions that studies using more definitive methods are ongoing. This is excellent detail and balanced analysis.
The story does not exaggerate the seriousness or prevalence of cancer, or the risk from radiation exposure.
The story quotes multiple, independent experts who can provide differing perspectives.
The story mentions other kinds of tests, such as blood tests, MRIs or ultrasound.
Clearly CT scans are available.
The story clearly describes that CT scanning is not a new idea but the story speculates that it is being overused with many new indications and uses that may be unnecessary.
Because the story quotes multiple experts, the reader can assume that the story does not rely on a press release as the sole source of information.
Systematic, Criteria-Driven
Monday at #ADA2021, an infectious disease epidemiologist, a journalist, and a researcher shared perspectives on communication of risk in the era of COVID-19: http://ow.ly/ROfR30rMeE7 @AstleyCM @garyschwitzer @berthahidalgo @ADA_DiabetesPro
Shoutouts to @susan_bewley @drkevinknopf @MichaelBaum11 in this call for more than fawning coverage from press releases for these kinds of stories.
Also, linked history inside goes back 5 years just on Grail apparently trying to become Holy Grail. https://twitter.com/garyschwitzer/status/1408849696416841731
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