Low Dose Radiation

At UCSF we support thyroid cancer biopsies, but new research shows evidence that thyroid cancer biopsy standards should be updated and simplified to reduce unnecessary procedures.

The US Preventative Services Task Force has released new recommendations in favor of annual CT lung cancer screening for long-term smokers. The decision is yet another step forward for screening advocates and the change in policy has the potential to save 20,000 lives each year, experts say.

Computed Tomography (CT)The Radiation Safety and Computed Tomography Virtual Symposium will go live online this week -- May 8th-10th, 2013. The unique event will provide a wealth of information for anyone interested in the topic of patient safety. The curriculum is specifically tailored to different audiences, including physicians, technologists, medical physicists, nurses, medical students, researchers, radiology administrators, and anyone who wants to understand the issues regarding CT radiation dose and strategies to improve the safety and utilization of CT.

The Radiology Outcomes Research Laboratory is pleased to announce the first Virtual Symposium in Radiation Safety to take place May 8- 10, 2013.

UCSF is one of the first hospitals to take part in the Image Share program, an image-exchange service that eliminates the hassle of transferring images in order to get a second opinion, consult a specialist or change hospitals/ doctors

Lung cancer screening advocates have another major organization on their side. The American Cancer Society published guidelines recommending CT screening for long-term and current smokers.

The National Lung Screening Trial (NLST), the largest randomized lung screening trial ever conducted, showed a substantial benefit for heavy smokers aged 55-74 who were screened for lung cancer using low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) scans. CT screening identified more lung cancers at earlier stages resulting in a significant decrease (20 percent ) in lung cancer mortality in the screened group.

The widespread use of CT has resulted in higher levels of radiation exposure for the general population—including children. However, children who receive these scans do so for an immediate and significant health condition. At UCSF we are advocates for the rational and appropriate use of medical imaging.

The UCSF Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging is proud to say that it’s been monitoring patient dose levels for nearly five years in response to the Image Wisely and Image Gently campaigns.

The National Comprehensive Cancer Network recently updated their recommendations in favor of lung cancer screening. This is the first professional group to come out in favor of lung cancer screening.