A clinical report reads: "Patient X received an effective dose of from the CT examination
PHYSICS · Multi-part · Fermi University Physics · Nuclear Physics · Biophysics & Medical Physics · Radiation interactions, detection and dosimetry
The Nucleus Resolved, Ch Dose: kerma, cavity theory, and what energy does to a cell
Problem
A clinical report reads: "Patient X received an effective dose of 12mSv from the CT examination. Applying the nominal risk coefficient of 5×10−2Sv−1, Patient X's individual probability of a fatal cancer from this scan is 12×10−3Sv×5×10−2Sv−1=6×10−4, which should be recorded in Patient X's notes as their personal risk."
((a)) Find the error in this reasoning.
((b)) State what the calculated number 6×10−4 actually represents, and classify each quantity used (effective dose, risk coefficient, the final product) as a measurement, an extrapolation, or a decision.