801.456.7226
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTION:
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How is Accuscan different?
Accuscan is the first scan of its kind to serve Utah and the surrounding area. We combine this equipment with our medical expertise to provide a service unparalleled in the screening industry. Accuscan is associated with outstanding providers in our community who consult face to face with the patient immediately after their scan.
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Who is a candidate for one of Accuscan's examinations?
Generally, men and women over the age of 30. Individuals that have a family history of heart disease, cancer, those with diabetes, high blood pressure or high cholesterol, chest pain, smokers or people who have smoked and those with a stressful or sedentary lifestyle are ideal candidates for Accuscan's services.
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How do I get more detailed information about Accuscan's services?
You can call us at (801) 456-SCAN (801) 456-7226 and our helpful staff would be happy to answer any further questions you may have about our services. If you want to see the location or talk to our staff face to face feel free to come visit our location and talk with a staff member to find out more about us and how we can help you take a more proactive approach to your health.
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How can I make an appointment for an examination?
You can call Accuscan at (801) 456-SCAN (7226)_to arrange your appointment today.
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Who can benefit from these procedures?
Women and men over 30 who are concerned about silent but potentially serious conditions within their bodies, especially individuals at high risk for heart disease, or cancer of the lung and colon, particularly smokers, those exposed to second hand smoke, individuals with chronic lung disease, and those with a family history of vascular disorders such as aortic aneurysms, or cancers are the strongest candidates for this evaluation.
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When will I get my results?
Our board certified radiologist will read your scan and in a few days you will be mailed a CD of all your images and a detailed written report of your results for your records or to share with your doctor.
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Is my information private?
All of your results and images are completely private and secure. Accuscan will not release any of your information unless you sign a personal release form.
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What will I have to do during the scan?
All you have to do is lie comfortably on your back with your head on a soft pillow and hold your breath for a few seconds. The machine will move you through a large open ring in which hundreds of high resolution images of your body will be gathered. The entire examination is comfortable and will only take a few minutes.
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What preparation is required for the examination?
No preparation is needed for the Full Body Scan, Head Scan, Heart Scan or Lung Scan. If you are having a Virtual Colonoscopy Scan, you will need to prepare 24 hours prior to your examination.
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What should I wear for my examination?
Dress comfortably, avoiding clothing with zippers, metal clasps or buttons. Women should wear a sports bra, or similar style without metal underwires or fasteners.
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Are there risks of radiation exposure?
Our protocols are built to insure the lowest dose possible, minimizing risk to non-calculable levels. The breast tissue in the chest CT study is exposed to no more radiation than a mammogram. Our low dose technique for the full body exam produces 1/2 to 1/3 of the exposure of a conventional CT study, of which, more than 30 million are ordered yearly by doctors in the U.S. for known medical problems.
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Will my health insurance pay for it?
Unfortunately, most insurance carriers do not yet cover preventative health maintenance, but rather see their role as providing financial assistance once you are diagnosed with an illness. Some policies may provide partial coverage; particularly if a doctor has recognized relevant health risks, and referred you to us. Accuscan's mission is one of prevention rather than treatment. Integral to that philosophy is the fact that we are doing our best to make scanning technology available to the general public at a reasonable cost.
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Does Accuscan do diagnostic imaging?
In addition to preventative imaging Accuscan now offers diagnostic imaging, which is covered by insurance, if your doctor orders a CT scan you can call our office staff to find out if we accept your medical insurance."
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How often should someone have a scan done?
Frequency will vary from case to case, depending on what an initial scan uncovers. For those with multiple risk factors, or troublesome findings, a follow-up scan may be repeated in a year's time to assess the success of lifestyle changes or medication in treating the problem. For those receiving a clean bill of health with an initial scan we recommend a recheck in perhaps two to three years.
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Does the scanning procedure find everything that might be wrong?
No diagnostic test is infallible. Microscopic cancers (those not visible to the naked eye) will go undetected. In addition, PSA and mammograms, for prostate and breast cancer respectively, still remain the gold standards for early detection of those specific tumors. Also, as with an examination in a doctor's office, sometimes a lump may be brought to your attention that proves benign or insignificant. Yet, follow-up tests, or in rare cases a biopsy, may be needed to disprove malignancy. Accuscan is another tool in the arsenal against disease. It is meant to supplement and enhance traditional health care, not replace it.
- A millisievert is the standard measure of radiation exposure. The effective radiation dose for one full body scan on Accuscan’s GE Lightspeed Plus CT is approximately 5.2 millisieverts, which is less than half of what one would receive on many other CT scanners.
- Most women receive a higher radiation dose during a routine mammogram. Yet there has been no news linking mammograms and radiation-induced cancer, even though women are encouraged to get breast screenings far more often than body scans.
- For a different perspective, the radiation received from a body scan is comparable to the amount of radiation exposure received on a roundtrip flight between New York and Los Angeles. Also, Americans get about 3.6 millisieverts per year from natural sources. It is considered safe for cardiologists to be exposed to up to 50 millisieverts per year as part of their job.
- The type of radiation emitted by CT scanners is not the same type of radiation emitted by atomic bombs. This incorrect comparison was the premise used in many of the recent news stories.
- The benefits of preventive screening far outweigh the potential risks of radiation exposure. For example, even if you believe the erroneous reports, the risk of developing cancer from radiation exposure is 1 in many thousands, while the undisputed risk of developing heart disease is approximately 1 in 2.
- With more than 25,000 CT scanners in the world performing more than 100 million exams each year, the absolute safety of the CT scan has been established. Furthermore, there has never been a case where an individual developed cancer as a result of CT scanning. When it comes to something as important as your health and longevity, it pays to learn the facts for yourself.
The Truth About RADIATION & BODY SCANS
There has been a variety of erroneous reports in the media suggesting a link between full body CT screening and an increased risk of cancer. Here are the true facts:
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UTAH'S PREMIER 3D MEDICAL CT SCAN & ULTRASOUND CENTER
