Cancer frequently stays undiagnosed until it is advanced. Many cancer signs and symptoms, such as chronic fatigue, cough, discomfort, or loss of appetite, might be dismissed as minor inconveniences rather than indicators of a severe medical problem.
A full-body cancer scan can provide you with peace of mind. Alternatively, if it assists practitioners in detecting irregularities early on, it might offer you a head start on your treatment strategy.
What Is a Full-Body Scan for Cancer?
This normally entails scanning the body with a type of X-ray imaging that creates cross-sectional pictures from the chin to below the hips.
The technology used is known as “X-ray computed tomography” (CT), sometimes known as “computerized axial tomography” (CAT) (CAT). A variety of X-ray CT systems are being offered for various sorts of screening. For example, “multi-slice” CT (MSCT) and “electron beam” CT (EBCT) – sometimes known as “electron beam tomography” (EBT) – are X-ray CT systems that create pictures quickly and are frequently recommended for screening calcium accumulation in heart arteries.
CT, MSCT, and EBCT all employ X-rays to create pictures that depict “pieces” of the body, similar to how bread is cut into slices. Each picture slice corresponds to a wafer-thin portion that may be studied in great detail to show bodily components.
CT is widely acknowledged as an important medical tool for identifying disease, trauma, or abnormalities in patients exhibiting disease-related signs or symptoms. It is also used to organize, guide, and monitor therapy. What’s new is that CT is being sold to healthy people who don’t have any indications of sickness as a preventive or proactive health care tool.
When Should People Consider Getting a Full-Body Scan for Cancer?
There are several reasons why you should get an annual complete body scan. However, the following people will benefit the most:
1. People with a Family History of Cancer
If you have a family history of cancer, you may be at increased risk of cancer or have a higher chance of developing the disease yourself. You can take proactive measures to prevent cancer by having routine screenings, such as a full-body scan or cancer vaccine, to give you a head start on treatment should cancer develop in the future.
2. People Over the Age of 45
Typically age 45 is when cancer risk begins to rise due to a combination of biological and environmental factors. Having an annual screening X-ray scan can help you detect signs of cancer early, when it is still treatable.
3. People Who Deal with Plenty of Health Issues
If you suffer from a wide variety of health issues, you are more susceptible to developing more of them. A full-body scan can help you identify any health issues that might lead to various types of cancer.
4. People with High Levels of Stress
Long-term stress can contribute to inflammation and other factors that trigger cellular DNA damage. This can increase your risk of cancer, as well as other diseases.
5. Avid Smokers
Smoking has been shown to cause various forms of cancer, including lung cancer and oral cancer. As such, smoking is a major risk factor for cancer, and you are at an even greater risk of developing cancer if you are a smoker.
Conclusion
If you have a family history of cancer, or you are over the age of 45, or you suffer from an array of health issues, and you are a heavy smoker—or you want to be proactive about your health and prevent cancer—an annual full-body scan can be a good option. However, it is important to understand that full-body scans work best with other screening methods, such as mammograms and colonoscopies, giving you a clear overall picture of your health status.
If you are in the OKC area, Tulsa, or Raleigh making multiple web searches for a full-body scan near me, you can rely on Craft Body Scan! Please email us at [email protected] or call us at 918.879.6161 to schedule a fast, easy, and accurate health assessment that could save your life.