The Link Between CT Scans and Cancer
Sir Godfrey Hounsfield of England invented the CT, or computerized tomography, scan in 1967 and unveiled it to the world in 1972. Meanwhile, Allan McLeod Cormack of Tufts University independently invented a similar process around the same time and both men shared the 1979 Nobel Peace Prize for their contribution to modern science. Since then, the use and popularity of the CT scan has skyrocketed. It is used for everything from determining if there is a presence of blood clots or tumors in the brain to detecting abnormalities of the lungs and the diagnosis of abdominal diseases such as renal stones, appendicitis and pancreatitis.
Many in the medical field feel that the advantages of CT scans over traditional, 2D radiology are countless. But those advantages come with heavy disadvantages and it has long been known that exposure to excessive radiation increases a person's chance of developing cancer. But now, more reports are surfacing claiming that CT scans are far more dangerous than previously believed.
The Archives of Internal Medicine recently released two studies that link CT scans to a higher chance of cancer, for areas of the chest and pelvis, especially in young women. "An estimated one in 270 women who underwent CT coronary angiography at age 40 will develop cancer from that CT scan, compared with an estimated one in 8,100 women who had a routine head CT scan at the same age," states one report. For 20-year-old patients, the report found that the risks approximately doubled, but for 60-year-old patients, they were approximately 50% lower. The second report claims that 29,000 future cancers could be related to CT scans received in 2007, with the greatest number of cancers projected in the abdomen and pelvic area.
This is troubling news, especially since the use of CT scans in the United States has risen from 3 million in 1980 to an estimated 62 million in 2006. In fact, the Archives of Internal Medicine claims that 19,500 CT scans are performed daily, exposing the patient to radiation equivalent to up to 442 chest x-rays.
So while the benefits of CT scans are undoubtedly far reaching when diagnosing an injury or abnormality, the lethal risks of overuse, especially in young patients, may far outweigh the many benefits.
-EH
ERM Credited with Profitability
The word is out-enterprise risk management really does work. A refreshing report issued recently by Aon states that more companies are employing mature ERM practices to maintain and grow profitability and resiliency. The report, "Global Enterprise Risk Management Survey," states that 62% of survey respondents identify themselves as having progressed beyond basic ERM practices, compared with 38% of those surveyed in 2007. Though many companies have faced significant financial challenges since 2007, those companies in the more mature stages of ERM reported success in increasing shareholder value, reducing the cost of risk and increasing operational efficiency. "When risk managers truly understand risk and use that information to enhance the organization's overall risk intelligence, they are able to make decisions more in line with their firm's strategic plan, operating plan and external environment," said Laura Taylor, global leader of enterprise risk management for Aon Global Risk Consulting. "Our report illustrates how these advanced organizations are able to move beyond focusing on risk avoidance and mitigation and toward leveraging risk to drive sustainable growth, continuity and profitability." It seems the days of the ERM naysayers may be long gone.
-EH
Counting Calories
There has been talk that fast-food chains could one day face lawsuits similar to those of Big Tobacco, with these theoretical "obesity lawsuits" focusing on the non transparent dangers of things like trans fats. To crack down on those hiding the ingredients of the food they are selling, New York City went so far as to require all restaurant chains to post the calorie content of their menu items. The belief was that if consumers know how unhealthy certain foods are, they will make healthier decisions. But according to a recent NYU study, customers at McDonald's, Wendy's, Burger King and KFC did not eat less-in fact, they ate slightly more. A Stanford study on the same topic, however, found that those customers at Starbucks who routinely purchased high-calorie foods began lowering their calorie intake by 26%. "This study helps confirm what we believed all along," said New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg. "Consumers can make healthier choices when supplied with the right information." This is the first major study to show a direct relationship between visible calorie notification and consumer's eating habits. It remains unclear exactly what effect such information will have, but everyone from restaurant owners and regulators to nutrition experts and lawyers are sure to draw their own conclusions.
-JW
2010 Political Risks
For the 17th year in a row, Aon unveiled its annual political risk map, which featured nine countries with improved risk profiles and 18 countries that have worsened since last year. Included in those downgrades is Ukraine, due to payment defaults by private sector banks. It was reported that Lloyd's of London paid out nearly $50 million in claims for Ukrainian banks, with more expected to come. Ghana was downgraded as well, due to the fact that state-owned oil refineries have defaulted on nearly $60 million in debt. Yemen was another downgrade, with Aon citing the country's multiple claims notifications and its food and water insecurity as the trouble areas. In contrast, Myanmar was upgraded because of reduced risk of sovereign default, Sri Lanka was upgraded because of reduced risk of civil war and Columbia was upgraded because its supply chain risk has been sufficiently reduced. Vietnam also improved since its economy performed the best in Asia during the last 12 months. Though it may not be a surprise to many, Africa is home to the most high-risk countries, such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, Somalia and Sudan. Aon also listed the commodities most at risk for disruption, including cocoa, maize, rice, sugar cane and coffee, most of which is produced by high-risk countries.
-EH
Emily Holbrook is associate editor and Jared Wade is editor of Risk Management.
