Preventive Healthcare Scans
Heart Scan
Lung Scan
Abdominal/Pelvic Scan
Cardiac Scoring/Heart Scan
Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the leading cause of death and disability in the United States in both men and women. Usually, a patient is first diagnosed with CAD when he or she develops symptoms, displays an abnormal response to stress testing or undergoes coronary angiography. Unfortunately, by that time the condition is relatively advanced. Heart scanning can detect the presence of calcium in coronary arteries, which provides an estimate of the extent and severity of coronary disease. The scan is a painless, high-speed x-ray that measures the amount of calcium in cholesterol-laden plaque deposits. This information can then be utilized by your physician to help tailor a prevention plan and to determine further evaluation and follow up, if needed.
A heart scan is recommended for non-diabetic men over 40 or for postmenopausal women with no known coronary artery disease. No referral from a primary care physician is required.
Lung Scan
Lung cancer kills more Americans than any other type of cancer. The five-year survival rate for lung cancer is only 14%. Survival may be increased, however, through early detection and treatment. This high-speed CT Scan of the lungs is a tool used for the early detection of lung cancer.
Lung cancer tumors are typically large by the time they are discovered through conventional x-ray. A lung scan, however, may detect tumors that are as small as a pea. Detecting cancerous tumors at an early stage can significantly improve an individual's survival rate.
The lung scan may be a useful tool for the early detection of lung tumors and other abnormalities. No referral from your primary care physician is required.
Abdominal/Pelvic Scan
A high-speed CT scan of the abdominal/pelvic region is a safe, painless screening capable of spotting tumors in the kidneys, pancreas, liver and adrenal glands, in addition to calcified gallstones, kidney stones, aneurysms, and uterine, ovarian or prostate enlargements. Small tumors and bowel tumors are not detected with this screening.
Preventive Scans for Cancer
Primary prevention involves stopping a disease before it starts by reducing or eliminating risk factors. Secondary prevention takes place when a disease is detected and treated at an early stage, thereby maximizing survival rate. Patients should not assume that their primary care physician is keeping track of their preventive screenings. By the end of their fifth decade, most adults have more than one physician--including specialists--and the focus of care tends to be narrow and specific in scope. Screening becomes necessary with age as the prevalence of certain diseases increases. Screening tests, or scans, and preventive health education can enhance quality of life. In fact, with early detection, some diseases may be reversed with simple lifestyle changes or medication.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q Can you have a heart attack when you have a low calcium score?
A Yes, but it is uncommon.
Q Can you always tell if a spot in the lung is cancerous?
A No. The smaller the spot, the more difficult it is to determine. Therefore, if a small spot is detected other tests may be necessary, as well as follow-up examinations that your primary care physician will request on your behalf.
Q If I have an aneurysm of my aorta, will it be detected by the abdominal scan?
A Yes.
Q If I have stones in my gallbladder or kidney, will they be detected by the abdominal/pelvic scan?
A Only if they contain calcium. Cholesterol and uric acid stones cannot be seen.
Q Does an abdominal/pelvic scan replace a barium study or virtual colonoscopy?
A No.
Q Can all tumors of the liver, kidneys, pancreas, prostate, uterus, ovaries and other organs be seen?
A No, only if they distort the shape of those organs or change their density. Small tumors may only be detected when IV contrast ("dye") is administered. Contrast is not given for a self-referred screening CT scan.
*Remember: If you have symptoms, these screenings do not replace in-depth medical assessment by your primary care physician and a radiologist.
The results of heart, lung and abdominal/pelvic scans are reviewed by one of our board-certified Radiologists. The results of your test(s) are completely confidential and will be mailed to you within one week.
Results will also be sent to your designated primary care physician so that he or she can fully evaluate your results and recommend additional testing and/or a treatment plan if necessary.
Any single screening: $199 per test. For all three, receive $30 off the third screening.
The best medicine always focuses on early detection of disease, when they are most easily and successfully treated. Preventive healthcare scans are a valuable tool in the early detection of many potentially serious ailments, including coronary artery disease, disorders of certain abdominal organs, as well as some types of cancer.
Please note: These scans are not covered by insurance plans, and are strictly for screening purposes for those patients without specific symptoms. One of our medical staff will take a brief medical history from you. If your signs and symptoms indicate that you may need to receive covered services, you will then be referred to your primary care physician for follow-up. If you are experiencing specific symptoms, screening scans should not be considered a replacement for in-depth medical assessment and care.
To Schedule Your Scan:
To schedule one or more screenings, simply call 352-365-0777 or toll-free 1-866-365-0777.
