According to the NSW-based radiologists, about one in every thousand children who undergo a CT (computed tomography) scan is likely to develop cancer prompted by radiation used in the procedure.

The cells of children and youngsters are at increased risk of a dangerous mutation, since they divide hastily at the time of the scan.

John and Margaret de Campo, Radiologists at Tweed Hospital, said that the risks are well documented in scientific literature, but this information has not sifted into the community.

In an article printed by the Medical Journal of Australia, the radiologists said, "Surveys of both patients and referring doctors show they have limited knowledge of the radiation risks from CT".

Most patients coming for CT scans are not notified or are unaware of the risk.

The radiologists said that the risk of a CT scan-triggered "fatal malignancy" developing later in life was one in 500 for children under the age of one, one in 1,250 for children up to ten years, and one in 1,600 for those up to 20.

Professional Services Review (PSR) Director, Dr. Tony Webber stated in the watchdog's latest report, "I have been alarmed at the number of these scans ordered without clinical justification".

The radiologists said that the doctors who refer the patients to have a CT scan should ask for written consent, and also give their patients written information explaining the risks of the method.