HIA framework to investigate additional cancer risk from Ionizing Radiation in Medical Imaging

Computed tomography (CT) was introduced into medical imaging in the 1970s and has grown exponentially particularly in cardiovascular clinical test for a wide variety of cardiovascular conditions. Cardiovascular CT use has recently been tempered by a string of high-impact publications raising concern about the increase in radiation exposure to the population from medical procedures and the potential cancer risk. This report highlights the framework in which integrated assessment of the effect of current cardiovascular imaging procedures on cancer risk is carried out. The analysis is based on the emerging results of a research project called SUIT-Heart (Stop Useless Ionizing Testing in Heart Disease) conducted by the Institute of Clinical Physiology of National Council of Research (IFC-CNR) in Pisa, Italy and funded by the Istituto Toscano Tumori (ITT). Finally it is outlined the chain of elements contributing to cancer incidence attributed to cardiovascular CT use. It is therefore represented an approach that helps the integration of health impact assessment for decision-making in the sector of ionizing radiation protection policies.