Dr Amit Chakraborty, Jan 2023
Imaging for preventative health
It can be a common misconception to think that you only need imaging when something is wrong with your health. However, regular imaging can play a key role in preventing certain conditions and allowing for early detection other conditions when the treatment can be most effective. Some examples are as below:
Coronary calcium scoring: Worldwide, death from heart attack is one of the most significant and deadly diseases. The risk of heart attack in an individual can be assessed by measuring the amount of calcium in the arteries of their heart. This is easily done by a CT scanner and can provide valuable insight into the health of your coronary arteries. Armed with this information, significant dietary and lifestyle modifications can be implemented in order to prevent a catastrophic heart attack.
Breast-cancer screening: Mammography and breast ultrasound examination performed every two years after the age of 40 can significantly reduce the risk of an advanced breast cancer. Any suspicious abnormality detected at these tests is promptly addressed. Many early cancers are detected by these examinations which may be fully cured by surgery and other treatment options.
Surveillance of thyroid nodules: Certain types of thyroid cancers can be deadly. If you have been diagnosed with thyroid nodules, follow up imaging at 12 to 24 months interval can significantly increase the chances of detecting a cancerous nodule early. A cancerous nodule can be detected and removed much earlier if routine surveillance is done by an ultrasound examination.
Smokers and sufferers of other respiratory conditions: Routine screening of lungs with a low dose CT scan can significantly reduce the risk of advanced lung cancer. It can also accurately assess the conditions of the lung tissue and detect onset of emphysema, scarring or fibrosis. Treatments are usually very effective at early stages of these diseases.
Osteoporosis: Over the age of 70, the bones start to become thinner, and the risk of fracture from minor trauma significantly increases. This can be closely monitored by a DEXA scan every two years. If thinning of bones is detected early, effective preventative treatment options are available to minimise the chances of a fracture.
There are many other examples of where healthy individuals can immensely benefit from a quick visit to the imaging clinic. CareScan medical imaging Liverpool, provides a vast range of preventative imaging services at little to no cost to the patient. Our doctors are experts in medical imaging and can provide timely information in a useful manner to your doctor which will allow him/her to further enhance your preventative health.
Please discuss with your doctor if you would like to access preventative imaging.