Will I be radioactive after a PET scan?
A PET scan does use a small amount of radioactive material, called a tracer. It is injected into your body before the scan. The tracer is radioactive glucose. It travels through your bloodstream so the scanner can detect where cells take it up. Cancer cells often take up more glucose than healthy cells, and that is what helps the scan find them.
After the scan, the radioactive material does not stay in your body for good. It loses its radioactivity over time. It may also leave the body through urine or stool as your body processes it. This is a normal, expected part of how nuclear scans work.
If you have specific concerns, such as being around young children soon after your scan, ask your care team for guidance. They can advise you based on your procedure and your dose. They can tell you whether any precautions apply in the hours after your appointment.
Want the full picture? Read our complete explanation: What to Expect During a PET Scan
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