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Comment by therockspush | Hacker News Reader

a buddy of mine got asthma when the smoke was bad a few years in the bay area. The doctor requires a chest xray every year to renew the subscription.

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This is quite insane because there is a cumulative risk of cancer from successful xrays. Not huge but non zero.

ya, its almost like the doctor doesn't have his patients best interest in mind.

This seems like a way for the doctor generate RVUs and show greater productivity.

RVUs as a concept for anyone interested: https://www.texmed.org/Template.aspx?id=32053#:~:text=An%20e....

"The American College of Radiology recommends limiting lifetime diagnostic radiation exposure to 100 mSv. That is equal to 10,000 chest x-rays or up to 25 chest CTs."

https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/should-i-worr...

This is helpful and informative it doesn't however mean it is zero risk just that its low risk enough to do many times if there is a corresponding diagnostic benefit.

There is only one arrest for every 27000 miles driven drunk too it doesn't mean you should drive even one mile down the road drunk to get tacos or get one unnecessary x-ray so doctor billsgood can make another payment on his boat.

You will statistically probably make it ok in either case but its a stupid pointless risk.

Incidentally the link looks very informative but I cannot read it due to a paywall.

Mine just wants me to breathe into this tube so he can measure my lung capacity. Do it every now and then to make sure dosage is ok.

Regular xrays... does he own stock in the xray business?

Some doctors have an xray on site in their clinic. He is presumably billing an extra 250-500 every time he takes a picture. Doctors that have diagnostic equipment and thus benefit from usage are much more likely to order an xray than doctors who wouldn't profit from it.

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