Key takeaways:
- A full-body CT scan is a fast, painless, and non-invasive medical imaging test that uses X-rays to create detailed images of tissues, organs, and bones.
- These images can help professionals scan for medical issues like internal injuries and cancers.
- On average, full-body CT scans cost between $350 and $6,750, depending on insurance, whether the scan is performed in a hospital or an outpatient facility, and the region where it is performed.
- CT scans come with the risk of ionizing radiation exposure.
- MRI scans are imaging tests that do not use harmful radiation, and, depending on the case, screening tests may be better than CT scans alone.
Many medical issues usually strike silently. The problem may start well before any apparent symptoms or signs.
A full-body CT scan is a powerful screening test that lets us look inside the body.
In this article, we will cover what you need to know before deciding whether to book a full-body CT scan.
What Is a Full-Body CT Scan?
A full-body computed tomography (CT) scan, or CAT scan is a powerful screening test that uses X-rays to produce images of the inside of the body, including tissues, organs, and bones, especially in the chest, abdomen, and pelvis1.
Special software renders these images on the computer, which can be viewed on a device or printed.
3D images can also be generated to give your physician an even better view of the body part being scanned. An expert radiologist will interpret these images and create a detailed report to guide further action.
What Does a CT Scan Help With?
Medical professionals usually order a CT scan to observe bone damage, internal injuries, blood flow problems in blood vessels, and tumors2. CT scan images may help determine a tumor's location, size, and shape. This information is helpful to plan and prepare for surgery or targeted treatment modalities like radiotherapy. CT images can also guide the surgeon in collecting a tissue sample during a biopsy. They are also used for imaging any structure in the body and for imaging the bowel and lung – areas where motion is problematic for MRI3.
CT screening is usually effective in detecting cancer or other abnormalities in the chest. The Ezra Full Body Plus includes a 5-minute low-dose chest CT (LDCT) for medically qualified patients.
How Does a Full-Body CT Scan Work?
In CT scanning, you lie down on the scanner's table, and the machine takes cross-sectional X-ray images of your organs and tissues as the table slowly slides inside.
A full-body CT scan may take anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour. One factor in estimating time is whether a contrast scan is required, in which case the added time is needed to inject the dye and for it to take effect.
Note: Not all CT scans require contrast dye. The LDCT lung cancer screening test we perform as part of the Ezra Full Body Plus does not use contrast agents.
Also, like most imaging tests, the quality of the CT images depends on your ability to lie still. Sometimes, you may have to hold your breath when a part of your body is scanned.
This may be difficult for some people, and multiple scans may be needed for high-quality images. This increases the time it takes to complete the scan.
Some scans use contrast material to enhance the visibility of specific structures within the body. The contrast helps highlight organs, blood vessels, and tissues, making them appear more clearly in CT images4.
If contrast material is required, you may be asked not to consume food at least three hours prior to your scan. Fluids are usually okay, but your physician will also guide you if that needs to be restricted.
Since metallic objects interfere with imaging, you must remove them from your body before your scan. Some centers may provide a hospital gown. At Ezra, we provide a clean set of pajamas to help you get comfortable.
What Kinds of CT Scans Can You Get?
Recent advancements in CT technology have focused on improving image quality while reducing radiation exposure and scan times.
Photon-Counting CT (PCCT)
PCCT is a technology that offers several advantages over conventional CT, including:
- Higher spatial resolution, allowing for more detailed images.
- Improved contrast-to-noise ratio, enhancing the visibility of subtle structures.
- Reduced radiation dose, potentially lowering patient exposure by 30 - 40 percent.
- Ability to differentiate between different materials, enabling better tissue characterization.
PCCT is particularly promising for cardiac imaging, lung nodule detection, and bone microstructure analysis5.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) Integration
AI is increasingly being incorporated into CT imaging workflows6:
- Automated image reconstruction and noise reduction.
- Faster scan times without compromising image quality.
- Improved lesion detection and characterization.
- Radiation dose optimization based on patient-specific factors.
Dual-Energy CT (DECT
DECT continues to evolve, offering7:
- Enhanced material differentiation.
- Improved visualization of vascular structures.
- Reduced beam hardening artifacts.
- Applications in oncology for tumor characterization and treatment monitoring.
Ultra-High Resolution CT
New ultra-high resolution CT scanners can achieve spatial resolution as fine as 0.15 mm, allowing for detailed imaging of small airways in the lungs, improved visualization of coronary artery plaques, and enhanced detection of subtle bone fractures8.
These technological advancements are making CT scans safer, more efficient, and more informative, potentially expanding their use in preventive medicine and early disease detection.
Cost of a Full-Body CT Scan
The average cost of a full-body CT scan may range from $350 to $6,750, depending on the facility and area9. Depending on your policy, your insurance company may pay some or all of the cost. Ezra allows you to pay for its scan service with your HSA/FSA dollars.
What Are the Risk Factors of CT Scanning?
While CT scans are generally considered safe, it’s important to understand their potential risks and take necessary precautions.
Radiation Exposure Dynamics
CT scans use ionizing radiation, which can potentially interact with cellular structures10. The radiation dose varies significantly depending on the scanned body region, typically ranging from 1 to 10 millisieverts (mSv). A chest CT scan delivers radiation equivalent to 100 to 800 standard X-rays, representing a substantial electromagnetic exposure11.
Cancer Risk
The lifetime cancer risk from a single CT scan is relatively low, estimated at approximately 1 in 2,000 cases12. However, this risk increases with cumulative exposure and varies across demographic groups. Women and children are more susceptible than men to radiation.
Radiation exposure can lead to radiation-induced neoplasms, which are a possible risk with CT scans13. Radiation exposure can be more of a concern if a patient has two CT scans yearly. In some cases, that is well within the standard of care for certain malignancies; for example, with soft tissue tumors such as sarcoma-type cancers, the patient is monitored over time with frequently repeated imaging.
LDCT scans have been developed to address the cancer concerns associated with CT scans. LDCTs deliver approximately one-fifth of the radiation dose of a regular CT scan14, making them particularly valuable in cases where regular screening is needed.
You can use the calculator at “Xray Risk” to check your cancer risk from radiation exposure in medical imaging tests15.
Contrast Material Considerations
Some CT examinations require contrast materials, which occasionally trigger allergic responses. While rare, these potential reactions represent an additional factor in comprehensive risk assessment16.
Diagnostic Advantages of CT Scans
Despite potential risks, CT scans offer remarkable diagnostic capabilities. They provide excellent internal imagery, enabling healthcare professionals to detect and evaluate complex medical conditions with precision. It is particularly effective at examining bone structures, lung tissues, and neurological systems.
Professional Guidance
The medical community typically adheres to the ALARA principle - “As Low As Reasonably Achievable” - which guides radiation exposure management. Healthcare providers carefully evaluate individual patient circumstances, balancing diagnostic necessities with potential long-term risks17.
What do Experts Recommend?
The U.S. Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF) guidelines for CT scan usage recommend18:
- Annual screening for lung cancer with LDCT in adults aged 50 to 80.
- Eligibility criteria include a 20-pack year or more smoking history or those who currently smoke or have quit within the past 15 years.
- Screening should be discontinued once a person has not smoked for 15 years or has developed a health problem that substantially limits life expectancy or the ability/willingness to have curative lung surgery.
If you are in these risk categories, it is advisable to get an LDCT scan for screening annually.
Early detection of lung cancer decreases the mortality rate by 20 percent, demonstrating the efficacy of this screening modality in screening and eventually helping to improve prognosis19.
We offer a low-dose CT scan of the chest as part of the Ezra Full Body Plus scan for those who medically qualify.
For bowel cancer screening using CT colonography (CTC), the criteria are different20. CTC is typically used for individuals who are medically unfit for a colonoscopy, including those with:
- Complex, severe co-morbidities.
- Medication or mobility issues that increase risks of colonoscopy.
- Intolerance to the colonoscopy procedure.
- Significant neurological, cardiovascular, or respiratory comorbidities.
- Frailty that prevents standard laxative bowel preparation.
Full-body CT scans are not routinely recommended without symptoms or a family history suggesting disease21.
Health professionals advise you to weigh the benefits of a whole-body CT scan against the potential risks when choosing this imaging modality for your healthcare routine.
However, MRI, or magnetic resonance imaging, is safe because it does not use ionizing radiation. As a medical imaging test, an MRI scan can better identify potential cancer than CT or ultrasound alone.
Getting the Benefits of a Full-Body Scan
An Ezra Full-Body Plus scan is a comprehensive AI-powered screening service that combines the advanced imaging capabilities of MRI and LDCT to assess up to 13 organs for potential abnormalities, including early signs of cancer. This hybrid approach allows us to leverage the strengths of each technology:
- MRI offers exceptional soft tissue contrast without ionizing radiation, making it effective for detecting cancers in the brain, liver, pancreas, and other organs.
- LDCT enhances lung cancer detection and coronary calcium scoring with minimal radiation exposure, improving early disease identification.
Unlike standard CT scans, which use ionizing radiation to generate images, Ezra’s MRI-first approach prioritizes radiation-free imaging wherever possible while incorporating LDCT only where clinically beneficial - such as lung cancer screening and heart health evaluation. This reduces unnecessary radiation exposure while improving diagnostic accuracy.
The full-body scan takes approximately an hour, plus an optional 45-minute follow-up consultation with a medical provider to help make sense of your Ezra Report. Throughout the entire Ezra experience, you’ll have a personal care advisor on hand to answer any necessary questions and guide you through the process.The Ezra Full Body costs $2,395, or as low as $84 a month, and is designed to screen for potential cancers in the head, neck, abdomen, and pelvis. The Ezra Full Body Plus costs $2,695, or as low as $94 a month. It scans up to 13 organs and includes a 5-minute low-dose chest CT, coronary calcium scoring, and a prostate scan with IV contrast. Our most advanced scan, the Ezra Blueprint, will cost $5,995 or as low as $208 a month.
It includes two 60-minute MRI scans, an MR angiogram, advanced brain analysis, body composition, advanced musculoskeletal scan, LDCT, and coronary calcium scoring.
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.
Not yet ready for a scan? Calculate your cancer risk in 5 minutes or less.
