When it comes to mammograms, there’s a new technology in town and it shows great promise in early breast cancer detection. 3D mammograms are becoming a wide-spread tool in combating breast cancer. Approved in 2011 by the FDA, 3D mammograms’ radiation exposure is only slightly higher than the regular 2D mammogram, and takes about the same amount of time.
Post-menopause can be a drastic adjustment for many women. Your body has undergone a significant physical change. With that come certain increased risks due to a sharp decrease in your estrogen and other hormones. Some women may choose hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to deal with menopausal symptoms and health risks, although HRT itself can increase the risk of certain diseases.
If your loved one is a smoker or has a history of smoking, a lung scan could save their life.
As a relative or close friend, we have the unique ability to influence the critical decision-making of our loved ones. Here are three ways you can encourage them to get a lung scan.
In early 2016, the American Cancer Society estimated that there would be 95,270 new cases of colon cancer and 39,220 new cases of rectal cancer, bringing the total new cases of colorectal cancer to 134,490. It is the third most common type of cancer for men and women in the United States.
Screening for colorectal cancer is an excellent tool for early detection of polyps (pre-cancerous growths) and for diagnosing the condition.
The acronym AAA is short for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm. If you think that sounds serious, you’re right. An aneurysm is a medical term used to describe a dilation or widening of an artery or blood vessel. Add the word “aortic” and you’re talking about a major coronary artery–the one that leaves the heart to supply blood to your body.
If you’re a post-menopausal woman, you should ask your doctor about a DEXA Scan. A DEXA Scan is a test to measure bone density. DEXA stands for Dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry and is also sometimes referred to as Bone Densitometry. It helps your doctor diagnose or predict your risk of developing osteoporosis using low-dose x-rays, and can also help predict your risk for bone fractures.
The amount you smoke over time has a cumulative effect on your risk for cancer. It puts you at a higher risk for certain types of cancer, including common lung cancers. One way to determine your risk is by calculating your pack-years.
Simply put, a pack-year is a measurement of the number of cigarettes you consume over a period of time.
You might have heard of an open MRI and wondered, “is it worth finding an open MRI near me?” An Open MRI is worth considering for many reasons, but first, what exactly is an MRI?
MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) is a diagnostic test using radio waves and magnetic fields.
A lung scan can save the life of a smoker by detecting issues earlier than other screening methods. If you or someone you know has smoked for a long time, encourage them to talk with their doctor about a Lung Scan, also called a Low Dose CT lung scan. This quick, painless scan can detect cancer much sooner than traditional x-rays.
Cardiac scoring, which is sometimes referred to as a heart scan or a calcium score, is a non-invasive CT scan of the heart. The test is designed to calculate your risk of developing Coronary Artery Disease (aka CAD) by measuring the amount of calcified plaque in your coronary arteries.