A PET scan, or Positron-Emission Tomography scan, is a medical imaging procedure that uses a radioactive tracer to create detailed 3-D images of the body. This tracer is injected into a vein, and it typically contains a sugar-based molecule that is absorbed by the body’s organs and tissues. The tracer emits gamma rays, which are detected by a machine that creates a 3-D image of the body. PET scans are commonly used to diagnose cancer, as well as other diseases, and can provide detailed images of a tumor’s size, shape, and location.
Unfortunately, PET scans can also cause cancer. This is because the tracer contains a radioactive form of sugar, which emits radiation that can damage the body’s cells. This can lead to genetic mutations, which can cause a cell to become cancerous. In fact, research has shown that PET scans can double a person’s risk of developing cancer.