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CT scan and cancer risk

Brokenmother1
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Hi, I am seeking advice from anyone who works within radiology, a medical physicist or any other mothers who may have experienced this. I had a CTPA which is basically a chest CT scan with the use of contrast at 16 weeks and 5 days pregnant, from my knowledge my unborn baby was still pretty small at this point and low down in my abdomen which was also shielded with a lead cover. Despite this I am very fearful that I’ve harmed my unborn baby from the radiation exposure and increased their risk of developing childhood cancer and my chance of developing breast cancer as it says your breast are more vulnerable to radiation damage throughout pregnancy as the cells are busy dividing. The scan was completed 6 months ago and I have been living in fear ever since, it's completely ruined my whole pregnancy experience. I have totally disconnected from my pregnancy as I'm scared my baby or myself will get sick as a result of the scan and I truly believe it would be fatal. I also have my other youngster to look after and to say it’s been difficult doesn’t even cut it. I am suffering with extreme anxiety, depression and PTSD as I just can not accept the fact that I've increased both our risks. I have been advised it's a small risk by many health professionals but I just don't believe this as it states everywhere online how dangerous ionising radiation is. I was told that the dose I received was 0.74 mGy which is less than 1 mSv and apparently that is equivalent to 5 months worth of background radiation. In addition to this I've had four other CTPA’s , 1 CT sinus, 2 VQ scans and a few X-rays prior to pregnancy spread out over the years. I truly believe I will get cancer because of my exposure. I can honestly say prior to this CT scan whilst pregnant I was never affected by my previous exposure but after coming home and researching CT scans whilst pregnant I am filled with fear. I don't know how to overcome this fear because to me it’s more than a just a fear but a real risk that I’ve induced myself and I know for sure if it continues I won't survive as I can’t live like this forever. I don't know what to do at this point because although my baby wasn't in the primary beam of the scan scatter radiation is still present and although the amount that may have reached my baby is 'negligible' I can’t help but worry. I should have done more to protect my baby and I'm now also considering a bilateral mastectomy, I don't know if this extreme and irrational but I truly believe the scan has caused damaged which I will not see till years later as a radiation induced cancer and the uncertainty is killing me. Please note that I am not delusional I am aware anything could happen in life between now and then but to live with such a fear constantly is debilitating. Without sounding morbid I’m also aware that everyone is at risk of cancer from just being alive but due to my radiation exposure it has led me to believe I have no chance of avoiding this disease. For anyone who is knowledgeable in this field please could you advice me from my exposure history if I’ve significantly increased my risk of developing cancer or my baby’s as result of the diagnostic imaging that I’ve had previously and the one in pregnancy. Also if any other mothers have experienced this please could you inform me on your experience and any positive outcomes years later for both baby and mother. I am so so broken.

  • Hello and thanks for posting,

    I am sorry to learn about your fears and worries and how much it is affecting your life and spoiling your experience of being pregnant. It sounds like you are having a horrible time. 

    I am not sure that I will be able to add anything more to what you have already been told by the health professionals you have spoken to that will ease your mind. I am not a medical physicist and don't work in radiology. However I know of no reason to disagree with what you have been told.

    I think your additional risk of developing breast cancer in the future as a result of this imaging will be low and your baby's negligible - bear in mind that when needed CTPAs are generally considered to be safe tests in pregnancy and you were right to follow medical advice at the time as there was a concern about your own health and therefore your baby's.  

    The risk that you are asking about and is troubling you so, would be additional to the average risk we all have of developing breast cancer which more commonly occurs in older women. Unfortunately, with cancer no one can be said to be risk free over a lifetime so we can't escape the idea of some risk in our lives. This can be an unsettling thought to live with, but most women don't develop breast cancer and many of those that do are successfully treated.

    I would really encourage you to speak to your GP about this as soon as possible since it sounds like you have anxiety and may need to have some treatment to help you to get on top of it. The fears people experience with anxiety aren't delusional but they can be irrational. 

    In situations like this it is very tempting to search the internet to try and find reassuring information, but this doesn't always work, and instead can keep fears and worried front of mind without relieving them as we get more bogged down in details and searching.

    I hope your GP can help. Please give us a ring if you want to talk anything over. The number to call is Freephone 0808 800 4040 and we are here 9-5. 

    Best wishes, 

    Julia

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