Should I worry about more than one CT scan in a short time?

Posted by diamonddog @diamonddog, 3 days ago

Hi everybody,
I am lucky (!) enough to have two medical issues being treated at the same time -- breast cancer of course, but also some diagnostic work on cognitive issues. I'll be having a CT scan of my head and neck next seek for the second one. But then I'm also scheduled to have a followup CT scan with my breast radiation oncologist in mid-November (about 4 weeks after the head/neck).

I don't know much about CT scans. Is it dangerous to do two of them so close together? Is there some sort of therapy or supplement that I can be taking in order to mitigate some of the more worrying side effects of that much radiation?

Any suggestions or experiences would be appreciated. I am weary of treatment stuff but I want to do what I can to protect myself, if possible.

Hugs to all.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Breast Cancer Support Group.

dave56pa | @dave56pa | 2 days ago

Hiya it’s Dave from Pa: first of all, stay off google and stop reading all the horror stories about Pet/Ct scans. Yes, if you got one every week for multiple months you might develop some issues. Your tests are ordered as diagnostic tools for the drs to see what’s going on. They are necessary to gain info and far out weigh any minimal risk you might encounter. Personally I have either a chin to pelvis Ct or Pet/Ct every 90 days to follow my stageIV mNSCLC progression and radiation/chemo treatments. And the radiation dose is adjusted to how much is needed and how much Ive had. Above all trust in the process.

Zebra | @californiazebra | 2 days ago

I would not be concerned about two CT scans. I’ve had several combo PET/CT scans, a hideous number of CT scans, 37 radiation treatments, contrast with all the CTs, MRIs, nuclear stress tests, and other tests, many X-rays, etc. All necessary with two kinds of ongoing cancer, several bouts of diverticulitis, afib, dysphagia, just had a TIA, and on and on the list goes over decades. I’m still here and don’t have any issues believed to be connected to radiation.

Sorry to hear you’re battling health conditions. You’ll find that a huge percentage of people on MayoConnect have multiple chronic health issues. That’s what turned us into people seeking answers and doing our research. You’ve come to the right place for support. Just focus on getting better. 😊