Research shows about 72 million CT scans are performed nationwide every year. Now new data published in the Articles of Internal Medicine suggests getting one could lead to cancer. But, doctors in the area say the benefits of getting a CT scan still far outweigh the cons.

People get pictures taken of the outside of their body all the time, but CT scans take in-depth pictures of your insides. New research is questioning the safety of those scans because the body is exposed to radiation.

"In order to generate CT images, we have to use a very limited focal dose of x-ray radiation," Staff Radiologist at Luther Midelfort Dr. Greg Brickner said.

He said there's never been a published study directly linking the radiology exposure in CT scans to causes of cancer.

“CT imaging has revolutionized medicine and the immense benefits we get with early detection of disease, longer life expectancy and decreasing mortality from cancer, by far outweigh the risk of radiation exposure," Dr. Brickner said.

Doctors at both Sacred Heart Hospital and Luther Midelfort say the key is to expose patients to the least amount of radiation possible during the scan.

The amount of radiation a person is exposed to during a CT scan is automatically adjusted by the machine to give the smallest dose, but still give the highest quality image.

He says doctors are increasingly looking at other options besides the scans to avoid radiation.

“Is there another test that we can do? Possibly an MRI or ultrasound exam that can answer the same question?" Dr. Brickner said.

But John Kohlhepp said he still wasn't worried about his CT scan.

“My personal perception is if you're not having them done like every other week or something I don't think it's going to affect you," Kohlhepp said.

At Luther Midelfort in Eau Claire, 22,000 CT scans were conducted in 2008. Red Cedar Medical Center in Menomonie says it continues to make sure it's radiation doses are safe. If you have a child who's getting a scan, experts say you should ask if a kid-sized dose is being used.