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Risks
By Mayo Clinic staffYou may worry that X-rays aren't safe because high levels of radiation exposure can cause cell mutations that may lead to cancer. But the amount of radiation you're exposed to during an X-ray is so small that the risk of any damage to cells in your body is extremely low.
For most X-ray examinations, the benefits of a medically indicated examination are thought to far outweigh the small risk. In addition, great care is taken to use the lowest radiation dose needed to produce the best images for the radiologist to evaluate. No radiation remains after an X-ray examination.
However, if you're pregnant or suspect that you may be pregnant, inform your doctor before having an X-ray. Though the risk of most diagnostic X-rays to an unborn baby is small, your doctor may consider whether it's better to wait or to use another imaging test, such as ultrasound.
