A recent episode of Dr. Oz was all about the risks of thyroid cancer. One warning given during the show was that doctors rarely use thyroid guards during mammograms and dental x-rays, leaving patients at risk of exposing their thyroid to radiation and potentially increasing their chances for thyroid cancer. According to the show, thyroid guards are readily available during these procedures, but are rarely used. The seriousness of this topic caused a lot of confusion and fear among many patients, even causing some to cancel mammograms because of it. So we did a little research to see what the real story is.
According to the American College of Radiology and the Society of Breast Imaging, the concerns about mammograms significantly increasing the likelihood of developing thyroid cancer are “simply not supported in scientific literature.” It seems that the amount of radiation that reaches the thyroid during a mammogram is equal to the amount you would receive from natural “background sources” from standing outside for 30 minutes. Overall, the lifetime risk of developing cancer from the tiny amount of radiation scattered to the thyroid is less than one in 17.1 million. Further, the tiny risk should be balanced against the much greater risk of a thyroid guard not fitting properly and partially blocking breast imaging or interfering with mammogram results and possible diagnosis. Therefore, the ACR and SBI don’t recommend using a thyroid guard during a mammogram. If you are still worried, definitely have a conversation with your doctor about the pros and cons to make an individual decision with your own healthcare professional.
As for dental x-rays, the thyroid is located much closer to the jaw – right behind it, in fact. A full dental panel also requires many more images than a mammogram and potentially more radiation exposure. It is also possible that in order to capture certain necessary angles, the x-rays may be pointed directly at the thyroid. With those facts in mind, a thyroid guard for dental x-rays makes more sense. Again, as with any medical decisions, you should have a conversation with your own doctor about the risks facing you during any x-rays, and feel free to request the thyroid guard as you see fit.
At Gilda’s Club Chicago, we strive to keep our members informed and encourage open discussions on all topics pertaining to your health.
