How harmful are CT scans?

CT scans, while a valuable diagnostic tool, can be harmful if used excessively due to the radiation they emit. Andrew Huberman mentioned that CT scanners and PET scanners are the most significant sources of radiation in medical contexts. For instance, typical sources like flying or standing in front of a microwave are trivial compared to the radiation from these medical scans. Frequent exposure, such as monthly CT scans, is particularly cautioned against due to the increased risk of cancer from cumulative radiation exposure 1. Therefore, while occasional CT scans are not harmful and often necessary for diagnostic accuracy, minimizing unnecessary scans is advised to reduce radiation risk.