Results from this research found that low-dose diagnostic CT scans do not increase risk and can,
in fact, induce protective effects. The hypothesis that harmful effects increase linearly with
radiation dose is not supported by this research. With low doses of CT scans, protective
biological effects such as reduced chromosomal aberrations, decreased radiation-induced
oxidative DNA damage, and enhanced clearance of damaged cells have been observed. In
cancer-prone mice, CT scans can increase longevity and reduce cancer risk by delaying the
latency of specific cancers.