Public being misled by marketing of medical scans: New research reveals

Authors of a new study warn that private clinics selling high-tech services to screen healthy people for disease could be harming Canadians and placing an undue burden on the public health system.

The study, entitled What's in a Scan? was published by the Canadian Center for Policy Alternatives. The results of the study found that there are prevalent misconceptions about the safety and regulation of CT and PET screening technologies.

The researchers interviewed over 20 experts, analyzed the media reporting and marketing of screening tests using high tech imaging technologies, and conducted a nation-wide public opinion survey of 400 Canadians on the issue to examine how well Canadian consumers are informed about the benefits and risks associated with such screening. The CCPA also developed a Consumer's Guide to Health Screening following the completion of the study.

• CCPA Publication: What's in a Scan?

  www.policyalternatives.ca