Adverse effects

Abdominal radiograph of a pregnant woman, a procedure that should be performed only after proper assessment of benefit versus risk. Diagnostic X rays (primarily from CT scans due to the large dose used) increase the risk of developmental problems and cancer in those exposed. X rays are classified as a carcinogen by both the World Health Organization s International Agency for Research on Cancer and the U.S. government. It is estimated that 0.4% of current cancers in the United States are due to computed tomography (CT scans) performed in the past and that this may increase to as high as 1.5 2% with 2007 rates of CT usage.