Screening tests are a proactive rather than reactive exam. A screening test is performed as a preventative measure – to detect a potential health problem or disease in someone that doesn’t yet have signs or symptoms.
The purpose of screening is early detection; helping to reduce the risk of disease, or to detect a condition early enough to treat it most effectively.
Screening tests that indicate pathology may lead to additional testing to determine the presence or absence of disease, and facilitate early intervention measures.
The Ultrafast CT Scan Screening of the Lungs is a non-invasive CT scan that can detect abnormalities and lung cancer in its earlier, more curable stages using a new technique called helical low-dose CT scanning. The screening is far more accurate in finding lung tumors than a chest x-ray, the traditional diagnostic tool, and can find lung cancers at a much smaller size.
This screening is covered by Medicare and commercial insurance companies if eligibility guidelines are met.
If you are worried about lung cancer due to your history of smoking, turn your concern into answers.
The Ultrafast Screening of the Lungs is a non-invasive CT scan that can detect abnormalities and lung cancer in its earlier, more curable stages using a new technique called helical low-dose CT scanning. The screening is far more accurate in finding lung tumors than a chest x-ray, the traditional diagnostic tool. It can find lung cancers when they are as small as the diameter of a soda straw, as compared with a chest x-ray that find them when they are about the size of a quarter
If you are a current or former heavy smoker the Low Dose CT Lung Screening can help you act quickly.
Lung cancer is widely known to be the third most common form of cancer in the United States, but is also the leading cause of cancer-related deaths.
In 2013 alone, the National Cancer Institute estimated that approximately 220,000 new cases of lung cancer were discovered, and that lung & bronchus cancer accounted for more than 150,000 deaths. (That’s more than the number affected by colon, breast & prostate cancers COMBINED). The majority of cases are diagnosed at a very late stage, which offers a low survival rate of only 5 years after diagnosis.
Like mammograms have done for breast cancer, a CT Lung Screening offers you and your provider the opportunity to catch any concerns at a much earlier stage. This gives your provider time to make informed decisions, and offer you a wider variety of treatment options than what may otherwise have been available to you. The Ultrafast CT Lung Screening is being hailed as the next advancement in preventative care, and is receiving support from organizations and medical societies nationwide.
There are two ways you can schedule a CT lung screening exam.
MEDICARE REQUIREMENTS
The National Comprehensive Cancer Network recommends a baseline screening test for the following two (2) high-risk groups.
High Risk Group I
High Risk Group II
The Cardiac Calcium Score screening of the heart is a quick and simple test which assesses risk of heart attack by detecting and measuring the amount of calcium build-up in the coronary arteries. The test allows the radiologist to determine whether a patient has a serious risk of significant narrowing of blood vessels to the heart. More importantly, it allows physicians to find hardened arteries early, allowing treatment with medication and lifestyle changes.
What is cardiac calcium score of the heart?
The Ultrafast CT Screening of the Heart is a quick and simple test which assesses your risk of heart attack by detecting and measuring the amount of calcium build-up in your coronary arteries.
The test allows the radiologist to determine whether a patient has a serious risk of significant narrowing of blood vessels to the heart. More importantly, it allows physicians to find hardened arteries early, allowing treatment with medication and lifestyle changes.
This is a screening that can precede more invasive tests such as a stress test and angiogram. The Ultrafast CT Screening of the Heart is considered to be one of the best available tests to predict the risk of heart attack in apparently healthy people.
Why should I get a cardiac calcium score of the heart?
The CT or CAT scanner acquires approximately 92 images of the heart. The quantity of calcium build-up in your arteries is then determined and you are given a score which falls under a certain category. This information, along with other indicators, can present an overall picture of your heart’s health. As a result, you and your physician can select the most appropriate care plan.
The Ultrafast CT Screening of the Heart is the only readily available, non-invasive, and sensitive screening test for coronary artery disease. The test is strongly recommended for patients with significant risk factors such as smoking history, high cholesterol, weight problems, or family history of heart disease.
“Half of the 600,000 Americans who have heart attacks each year, have no symptoms before hand.” -The New York Times – March 28, 1999 – New York Times
What is the preparation for an Ultrafast CT Screening of the Heart?
There are no dyes, no needles, no fasting and no pain. The only preparation required for the Ultrafast CT Screening of the Heart is for the patient to complete a standard medical history questionnaire at the time of his appointment.
How long does the procedure take?
The scan takes 15 minutes or less. The scanner acquires a series of x-ray images of your heart while you hold your breath for 23 seconds.
How long do I have to wait for results?
The radiologist’s report, including your Cardiac Score, will be sent to you in three to four business days.
What does my cardiac score mean?
Is it painful or uncomfortable?
No. The Ultrafast CT Screening of the Heart is a simple, non-invasive scan in which you lie on the scanning table for a few minutes. We have not received any complaints of pain or discomfort from patients receiving this screening.
Are the results kept confidential?
Yes. Patients can elect to keep the results completely confidential. However, it is extremely important to discuss any calcium score above zero with your physician. Your doctor will be able to interpret your score in the context of other important factors, such as age, gender, medical history and other risk factors for heart disease. A copy of your report can be sent to your doctor at your request.
Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA) is used to measure bone mineral density which can aid in the diagnosis of osteoporosis. Body Mass Index (BMI) is a number calculated from a person’s weight and height. BMI provides a reliable indicator of body fat for most people and is used to screening for weight categories that may lead to health problems.
A bone density test is the only test that can diagnose osteoporosis before a broken bone occurs. This test helps to estimate the density of your bones and your chance of breaking a bone. A bone density test tells you if you have normal bone density, low bone density (osteopenia) or osteoporosis. It is the only test that can diagnose osteoporosis. If you have low bone density you will have a greater your risk of breaking a bone. If you are a postmenopausal woman or man age 50 and older, have recently broken a bone you should consider a bone density test if you have never had one.
Body composition includes fat, protein, minerals and body water. It describes weight more accurately than BMI. Body composition analysis can accurately show changes in fat mass, muscle mass, and body fat percentage. This can help validate services like personal training, patient care, and corporate wellness.
What Is Body Composition?
Your body is composed of two types of mass: Body fat and non-fat mass.
Body fat percent is a measurement of body composition telling how much of the weight of your body is fat. The percentage of your body that is not fat is fat-free mass. There are normal ranges for body fat, which differ for men and women.
CIMT Carotid Intima-Media Thickness (CIMT) test is a measure used to diagnose the extent of carotid atherosclerotic vascular disease. The test measures the thickness of the inner two layers of the carotid artery – the intima and media – and alerts physicians to any thickening when patients are still asymptomatic.
AAA screening test is an ultrasound assessment of the aortic artery for abdominal aneurysms and plaque formations within the artery.
ABI circulation screening test measures the bilateral pressures of the arms and legs to assess for peripheral arterial disease (PAD).