Heart Scans, Body
Scans, Lung Scans and Virtual
Colonoscopy Scans are used for "screening" of heart disease and cancer.
In medicine, "screening" means looking for a medical condition in a person
showing no symptoms in the hope of identifying problems early, when treatment
can be most effective. There are many screening tests that look for different
abnormalities. For example, a very popular screening test for women is
the mammogram. Most mammograms are done on women who do not have a lump
in the breast or other evidence of breast cancer; it is done as a preventive
measure in hopes of catching breast cancer at an early stage. The Heart
Scan, Lung Scan, Body Scan and Virtual Colonoscopy scan are based on the
same theory...early detection.
The "Heart Scan" can detect calcifications
(or the hardening of plaque) in the arteries of the heart. This is useful
information if determined early, prior to a heart attack. With this knowledge,
a person may be empowered to change his or her lifestyle and slow the
progression of heart disease or even prevent
a heart attack.
The "Body Scan" is used for the early detection
of heart disease, tumors and other abnormalities throughout the torso.
Unlike the Heart Scan which focuses on the
heart, the Body Scan also "screens" for other abnormalities such as tumors.
If cancer is detected early, before a person is showing symptoms, treatment
may be effective. However, at this time the FDA knows of no data demonstrating
that whole-body CT screening is effective in detecting any particular
disease early enough for the disease to be managed, treated, or cured
and advantageously spare a person at least some of the detriment associated
with serious illness or premature death.
Virtual Colonoscopy Scans
are also used in early detection of cancer, except they "screen"
for colon and rectal cancers.
Screening is more useful for people who are high risk; including people
with a history of heart disease, cancer, exposure to hazardous chemicals,
high stress lifestyles, obesity, etc.
The knowledge gained from your scan may be a guide to better health, and
empower you to make plans for a healthier life.
Find out more about the appropriate scan available for you:
Frequently Asked Questions
