Want to detect health issues before they’re serious?
Medical care is changing on a massive scale. With technological advancements, we’re detecting diseases earlier than ever before. This change is starting to transform the medical industry.
The simple truth is that early detection can save lives.
If something like cancer is detected early, then people have a better chance of survival. For instance, 99% of women with early breast cancer will survive 5 years or more. Now compare that to breast cancer detected in its late stages.
So, where does advanced full body imaging come into the picture?
Advanced full body imaging is allowing people to see what’s going on in their bodies long before they show symptoms. The modern age of medical care is all about prevention and using these devices to catch people’s conditions before they can turn serious.
Should everyone be getting these scans, though?
Contents:
- How Advanced Imaging Technology Is Changing Healthcare
- The Science Behind Full Body Scans
- Real Benefits vs. The Marketing Hype
- Who Should Consider Advanced Screening
How Advanced Imaging Technology Is Changing Healthcare
Advanced full body imaging isn’t some futuristic technology.
It’s here, and it’s already helping thousands of people to detect their issues early on in the process. The market for medical imaging is enormous and only going to grow. The market is projected to hit $48.8 billion by 2032 – the numbers just keep on going up as more and more people use the device for themselves.
What’s the difference with these modern machines?
The difference is that they’re using magnetic resonance imaging. This allows you to take detailed pictures of a person’s internal organs and tissues along with their blood vessels. This technology allows for people to get these images without the harmful effect of radiation exposure like with X-rays or CT scans.
People can find hundreds of conditions from these scans in some of their most important organs. We’re talking about cancer, cardiovascular disease, aneurysms, and so much more… and all of this is before people start showing any symptoms.
Pretty wild, huh?
The Science Behind Full Body Scans
Let me tell you exactly how these machines work.
Full body imaging is combining some of the best MRI technology with AI to understand your insides. Here’s how the process works: You will have to lie down in the device for about 30 to 60 minutes. During that time, the machine will create detailed internal images of a person’s organs.
Here is what the scan will cover:
- The brain and neurological structures
- The heart and cardiovascular system
- Lungs and other respiratory organs
- Liver, kidneys, and other digestive system organs
- The spine and the musculoskeletal system
Once the scanning is done, the experts in radiology will analyze the images from inside a person’s body. They look at each of these structures for anomalies. Tumors, lesions, blockages, or other degenerative changes that can be a red flag for disease.
It’s worth noting that…
The majority of conditions from the list above can be fixed if they are caught early. The problem is that nobody was able to detect them before they had symptoms. With this new technology, people can now get a baseline of their internal body health.
Real Benefits vs. The Marketing Hype
Ok, now for the good stuff…
Full body scanning isn’t for everyone. Despite what some advertising companies will tell you, the scan is not going to prevent you from every disease under the sun. If you’re going to do this, you have to be aware of both the benefits and the risks of this technology.
The benefits are real, though:
- The early detection of serious conditions such as cancer, aneurysms, or organ anomalies. Catching these problems early on allows for treatment to be less invasive and easier and for a more successful operation.
- Peace of mind for high-risk individuals. For those who have a family history of cancer or cardiovascular issues, this modern technology can help keep an eye on any risk factors.
- A health baseline for your body. If you get these images of your organs when you’re healthy, it’s going to be easier to track any changes later on.
The risks are real, too:
- Incidental findings. The scans can detect things that have no medical relevance, and it can cause a lot of unnecessary panic and worry. They can cause a chain reaction of further scans and testing when none were needed.
- Cost is a factor. This scan is typically going to be out of pocket for most people since insurance companies won’t cover it. People are going to have to spend several thousand dollars.
- False positives. Not every anomaly detected by these scans is going to turn out to be harmful. They can lead to people going through more invasive procedures that weren’t needed.
Who Should Consider Advanced Screening
So, exactly who is going to benefit from this advanced full body imaging?
The answer to this question is not an easy one.
Methods like mammograms, colonoscopies, or low-dose lung CTs for smokers are some of the most effective preventative measures we have. These are evidence-based screening tools that the medical community and groups recommend.
Full body scans are different in that they’re not the standard in medical practice, but some people may find that this technology is incredibly beneficial. Here are the people who might benefit from this:
- If you have a history of cancer or cardiovascular disease in your family
- If you are at a higher risk due to lifestyle conditions
- If you want a comprehensive health baseline for future use
- If you have the cash to do the scan without a financial struggle
If you’re a young, healthy person with no family history of any issues, then these scans might not be the best idea. Your best bet is to focus on preventative measures that are proven to work for you. Exercising regularly, eating a healthy diet, not smoking, and getting the screening tests that you are supposed to can be all that you need to do.
Here’s what I recommend you do instead:
- If you want to change your health, then focus on modifiable risks. The best way to prevent certain cancers and diseases is to change your lifestyle. Start to exercise, maintain a healthy weight, limit your alcohol, and not smoking will go a long way for you.
- Go with the recommended screening tests. Follow all of the recommendations for mammograms, colonoscopies, and other screenings that have been shown to save people’s lives.
- Talk to your doctor. Before you consider using this new technology, you need to talk to your doctor about whether or not these full body scans are the right option for you. Your health provider will be able to use their experience to let you know what the best is for you.
Making The Right Choice
Advanced full body imaging is a new step in preventative health.
The technology is amazing, and it is already starting to help a lot of people. However, these scans don’t replace preventative measures that we already have or an unhealthy lifestyle. There are a lot of factors you need to take into consideration when using this type of technology.
Here is the bottom line:
If you are thinking of using these services, you have to do your research on them. Make sure that you understand what these scans can do and what they can’t. If you are high risk, you should then talk to your doctor about whether or not this advanced full body imaging is the best option for you.
If you decide to go forward with these scans, then you should look for the most reputable companies. You need to make sure that you have experienced radiologists who know how to interpret these scans and can assist you. You want to know the process in place for how results will be communicated with you and how you’re going to be taken care of if something turns up on your scan.
Always remember that the best health strategy is a mix of multiple different approaches. You need to have regular check-ups, go for the proven screenings, make healthy lifestyle choices, and stay on top of the new technologies.
