It’s often said, “Prevention is the best medicine,” and this can certainly also apply to early detection.
Take charge of prevention—save $700 on your full body scan this month only!
Awareness of problems, potentially even before they cause symptoms, can lead to more effective treatments and better long-term health outcomes.
This is the primary driving factor for many who decide to undergo full-body scans and, in some cases, the reason for getting scanned each year.
This provides an opportunity to catch potential problems early and prevent them from becoming much bigger problems.
Alternatively, peace of mind and validation are provided for those who find a clean bill of health. Full body scans, as the name implies, offer a comprehensive look at the whole body, monitoring for areas of concern that may otherwise be missed.
Early Detection of Health Concerns
So, what does a full-body scan detect? There are a number of health concerns that can be detected with full-body scans.
We’ll focus on some of those that have the potential to raise the most concern with individuals interested in protecting their health.
Cancer
We have all been affected by cancer in one way or another.
Friends, coworkers, community members, extended family — it feels as though cancer can strike anywhere, and many times it’s unexpected.
Particularly when it hits even closer to home and affects an immediate family member, it raises the question, “What are my own risks of developing cancer?”
We all know catching cancer early can make a significant difference in treatment. Simply put, the early detection of cancer saves lives.
In some cases, the risk factors are more apparent, like family members with a history of breast, ovarian, or colon cancer.
There are also lifestyle factors that can play a role, like the contribution of smoking to the development of lung cancer.
Other risk factors can be more subtle, like the association of herbicide exposure with non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. However, these cancers can also develop without immediately apparent causes.
Early signs and symptoms can offer hints that something may be wrong. For instance, stage 1 lung cancer symptoms include:
- Persistent cough.
- Chest, shoulder, or rib pain.
- Recurrent lung infections.
- Bloody mucus.
Colon cancer signs can vary, including:
- Diarrhea.
- Constipation.
- Blood in stools.
- Unintentional weight loss.
In some individuals with colon cancer, stool shape can be a clue that something may be wrong. A narrowing of the colon due to the presence of a mass can lead to thinner, even ribbon or pencil-like stools.
In some instances, however, the early stages of cancer can develop symptom-free. Scans offer an effective option for those wondering how to test for lymphoma, colon, lung, and other forms of cancer.
Cardiovascular Disease
Computerized tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans are also helpful for finding evidence of heart disease by finding physical evidence of changes in the body that increase the risk of heart attack and stroke.
A calcium heart scan provides evidence of the level of plaque buildup (atherosclerosis) in arteries, which is characteristic of coronary artery disease. Deposits can also form in other blood vessels within the body, and detection allows for appropriate treatment to avoid dangerous blood flow obstructions. Scans are also an effective way to detect aneurysms.
There are many contributing risk factors for developing cardiovascular disease. These risk factors are also common, contributing to heart disease becoming the leading cause of death in the United States.
Factors that increase the risk of developing heart disease include:
- Congenital (present at birth) coronary artery defects.
- Age 45 and older for men, and age 55 and older for women.
- Smoking.
- Poorly managed stress.
- Poor eating habits.
- High cholesterol.
- High blood pressure.
- Diabetes.
It’s important to note that heart disease doesn’t just develop at the snap of a finger.
It often develops slowly over time and is influenced by many factors.
Catching concerns early can help you and your healthcare providers determine which treatments and lifestyle choices may benefit you most — ideally before a trip to the emergency department at your local hospital.
Kidney Disease
CT and MRI scans are also useful for detecting potential tissue injuries or diseases associated with the kidneys.
This can range from congenital anomalies (some individuals may be entirely unaware they have only one kidney, for instance) to tumors, lesions, or the presence of kidney stones.
Individuals who have experienced one kidney stone have an increased likelihood of experiencing another.
As stones develop, they can lead to blockages in urinary flow, kidney damage, and a higher risk of serious infections.
In general, speaking with your healthcare provider is crucial if you notice blood in the urine, have difficulty urinating, or experience recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs).
Liver Disease
Imaging can also be helpful in detecting and diagnosing liver disorders.
If a nodule is present, it can be detected this way, and the presence of fat deposits can become apparent.
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, or NAFLD, raises the risk of developing cirrhosis and further disruption of liver function.
Your liver acts as a filter in your body, helping to remove harmful toxins, and a reduction in function can have system-wide effects.
The risk factors for developing NAFLD mirror some of those associated with cardiovascular disease.
These include:
- Being considered overweight or obese.
- Insulin resistance or diabetes.
- High cholesterol.
Like coronary artery disease, the buildup of fat deposits in the liver occurs over time.
Recognizing that this is occurring allows you and your healthcare provider to make beneficial therapeutic and lifestyle changes to promote your long-term health.
Osteoporosis
Full-body scans can also detect potentially concerning variability in bone density.
Osteopenia and osteoporosis are defined by differences in individual bone density when compared to samples of young, healthy individuals.
When bones become less dense, they can become more brittle and likely to break. Fractures can significantly impact mobility, pain, and quality of life.
We have a tendency to associate osteoporosis more closely with women, and many patients ask, “At what age should a woman get a bone density test?”
It’s important to note that bone density screenings are also recommended for men.
Bone density is associated with levels of sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone, which both decline with age.
The decline is markedly more rapid in women, however, with the advent of menopause, whereas men experience a more steady decline over time.
This does lead to differences in age recommendations for bone density scans:
- All women over the age of 65.
- Women under the age of 65 who have undergone menopause.
- All men over the age of 70.
If you’ve already experienced a fracture as an adult, it may be helpful to check your status as well, even if you don’t meet these age guidelines.
Who Is Most Likely to Benefit From A Scan?
Age, genetics, and lifestyle are all important factors in the risk of developing various types of diseases.
Full body scans can be beneficial for anyone but may be more beneficial for those who:
- Have a family history of cancer.
- Have a family history of heart disease or aneurysms.
- Are considered overweight.
- Lead a sedentary lifestyle.
- Are 40 years of age or older.
- Have been diagnosed with high cholesterol, diabetes, or high blood pressure.
- Have a history of smoking — particularly those who have smoked one pack per day for a period of 10 years or longer.
Types of Scans Available
Two primary types of scans are used for the early detection of disease: magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computerized tomography (CT) scans.
Let’s look at what’s involved with these scans in more detail.
Full Body MRI Scan
An MRI scan uses strong magnetic fields and radio waves to generate images of the body.
There is no radiation associated with an MRI, but it is important that you have no metal in or on your body during the procedure.
An MRI provides improved images of soft tissues in the body.
The scan is non-invasive, painless, and lasts about 45 to 90 minutes.
Full Body CT Scan
A CT scan uses multiple X-ray images of the body taken from different angles.
These images are then compiled on a computer to create a three-dimensional image.
This offers a more detailed view than traditional X-ray images.
The level of radiation exposure associated with a CT scan is low overall, but the procedure is not recommended in pregnant women.
The scan is non-invasive, painless, and lasts about 10 minutes.
Full Body Scan Near Me
Early detection of potential health concerns allows you to catch growing problems before they become emergencies, leaving you with more room for successful treatment and lifestyle adjustments.
Craft Body Scan has locations around the country, and its professional, knowledgeable, and caring staff is ready to help you gain a more comprehensive view of your health status.
Feel free to reach out for more information today.
