Key takeaways:
Regular health screenings are a vital component of proactive medicine, offering early detection of potential issues before symptoms appear. Among these, full-body scans have emerged as a comprehensive tool for assessing overall health. Utilizing advanced imaging technologies such as computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), full-body scans can identify early signs of serious conditions, including cancer.
In this article, we will discuss what full-body scans entail, what they can show, and their benefits. We’ll also help you make an educated decision about whether you should start annual full-body screenings to assess your overall health, helping you act proactively on your health to live longer and better.
Full-body scans are medical imaging procedures designed to reveal what’s happening inside your body before any symptoms appear. They can help clinicians detect serious diseases, such as cancer, at early stages when they are more easily treatable.
At Ezra, we use both CT and MRI technologies to provide detailed images of each organ, from the brain to the pelvis. While both techniques can visualize the inside of your body, CT scans are more effective for specific organs, and MRI is better suited for others.
CT is an advanced imaging method that utilizes X-rays to generate detailed cross-sectional images of the body. This technique has been extensively used for many years, with advancements in technology and research continuing to enhance the safety, sensitivity, and accuracy of CT scans, thereby improving patient outcomes.
During a CT scan, an X-ray tube rotates around the patient, emitting a focused X-ray beam that traverses the body. The scanner measures X-ray attenuation by detecting the amount of X-rays passing through tissues. This data is used to create images based on the varying absorption rates of different tissues. By capturing images from multiple angles, the scanner produces comprehensive cross-sectional views of the body, depicting tissue density on a scale known as the Hounsfield scale. Organs exhibit various densities; for example, a bone has a denser structure than soft tissue due to its higher calcium content. As a result, the different tissues will appear with varying contrasts on the scan.
Your radiologist can then use your CT scan results to assess your organ’s health and identify abnormalities in specific organs and tissues. CT scans are especially beneficial for lung, heart, and abdominal screening.
A full-body CT scan is painless and takes about 20 minutes, depending on the scanner. It is a noninvasive procedure, and you don’t need any specific preparation. During the scan, you just lay on the bed and stay still, and the technologist will take care of the rest.
MRI is another advanced imaging technique that provides a detailed look inside the body. It uses magnetic fields and radio waves to create detailed images of internal structures. MRI machines contain large, powerful magnets that generate a strong magnetic field around the patient. When a patient is positioned inside the MRI machine, this magnetic field causes the hydrogen atoms in the body to align in a specific direction.
The MRI machine then sends out radio frequency (RF) pulses, which temporarily alter the alignment of the hydrogen atoms. When the RF pulses cease, the hydrogen atoms return to their original alignment, emitting energy in the form of radio waves detected by the MRI scanner.
Due to their differing water contents, different tissues in the body have varying amounts of hydrogen atoms and thus release energy at different rates. The MRI scanner can differentiate between different tissue types and produce high-resolution cross-sectional images.
With MRI, your radiologist can observe edema, inflammatory sites, and other abnormalities, such as tumors and precancerous lesions. A full-body MRI scan is highly sensitive, as well as being fast, painless, and free from ionizing radiation.
A full-body MRI scan is safe, painless, accurate, ultra-sensitive, fast, and radiation-free.
Ezra provides a state-of-the-art full-body scan using MRI. The proposed exam can help your doctor assess your risk of developing cancer in 13 organs such as the brain, thyroid, lung, liver, pancreas, spleen, kidney, bladder, ovaries, and uterus.
MRI technique uses a strong magnetic field. As such, you will be asked to leave metal objects like your watch, mobile phone, jewelry, glasses, and a belt outside the scanner room. Your safety is our priority, so if you have a pacemaker or any non-removable metal items inside your body, you should consult our team, who may be able to clear you for safety or recommend a more suitable alternative.
Once in the exam room, you will lie facing up on the bed, which will then slide into the scanner. Since the scanner is tunnel-like, you should inform your doctor beforehand if you are claustrophobic so they can provide appropriate medication. The scanning process involves the magnet being turned on and off for over 60 minutes. To make the experience more comfortable, Ezra centers provide earplugs and the option to listen to your favorite Spotify playlist, which will make the time fly!
Recommended reading: How Long Does an MRI Take? Your Ultimate Guide
At times, the technologist may instruct you to hold your breath to enhance image quality, as movement, including breathing, can affect the results. Once the scan is complete, the radiology staff will assist you in retrieving your belongings.
You will receive a digital copy of the MRI session, which is essential to share with your primary care practitioner. Within 5-7 business days, an Ezra doctor will follow up with you by phone to discuss the results. If anything suspicious appears on the MRI scan, consult your primary care doctor about the next steps.
Recommended reading: What to Expect After Your Ezra Screening
Keep the following in mind before your full-body scan:
You should make an educated decision whether or not to receive regular whole-body scans.
To help you decide, consider your risk factors for developing pathologies like heart diseases and cancer. Besides the following risk factors described below, take five minutes to complete ezra’s questionnaire.
You should consider getting an annual full-body screening if you fit one or more of the following criteria:
In conclusion, full-body scans offer a comprehensive approach to proactive health management, enabling the early detection of potential health issues before symptoms arise. Utilizing advanced imaging technologies such as CT and MRI, these scans provide detailed insights into your body's internal structures, helping to identify conditions like cancer at treatable stages. By understanding what full-body scans can reveal and considering your personal risk factors, you can make an informed decision about incorporating annual screenings into your healthcare routine.
If you want to be proactive about your health, why not book an Ezra full-body MRI? Our annual scan catches potential cancer earlier, leveraging AI through the screening process to make it more efficient, affordable, and faster.
