Is there a risk of getting cancer from radiation from medical diagnostic imaging?

Controversy exists regarding the risks of cancer from imaging radiation exposure, especially from CT scans. We will argue that claims that imaging radiation causes cancer have not been scientifically proven, remain hypothesis and cause unnecessary patient fear. As a consequence medical imaging organization should move away from continued emphasis on such claims and recognize that attempts to educate patients that risks are small does itself create fear, A review of the history of radiation risks helps understand the evolution of the current position and develop a strategy for the future. It may be argued that ALARA (as low as reasonably achievable) and the Image Gently and Image Wisely campaigns, to lower medical imaging radiation dose, have solved a problem that did not truly exist. The belief that CT radiation may increase cancer risk remains hypothesis. Unfortunately, in the minds of many, hypothesis has evolved into fact, without definitive experimental proof. An unintended consequence of these campaigns is an exaggerated fear of cancer from CT scans. Ongoing publications and web sites on the topic, keep the subject alive, and cause unnecessary anxiety to patients and referring physicians. Even those who believe that imaging radiation has a long-term risk of cancer, concede that this risk is extremely small and no greater than many accepted daily risks of living. It is suggested that leading radiology, health physics and other medical societies and journals publish position statements to educate physicians and patients regarding the true absence of risks of cancer from medical imaging radiation.