Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is a total body scan?
Be Well Body Scan provides you with a CT scan of your body from your shoulders through your pelvis. The scan allows a board-certified radiologist to view your heart, lungs, abdominal cavity and bones to determine the health of these important organs. A total body scan can detect the presence of many common forms of cancer in their early stages giving the head start needed for early intervention. The radiologists also look for heart disease and aortic aneurysms. Additional non life-threatening conditions, including gall bladder and kidney stones and osteoporosis, will be evaluated. This extensive look inside the body can uncover many conditions that can be slowed, stopped or even reversed with early detection.

Be Well Body Scan uses the latest in multi-detector computed tomography equipment to perform the full body, non-invasive disease-screening test, which takes about 20 minutes to complete.

2. Am I a candidate for a total body scan?
Every adult should be fully informed as to the status of his or her health. In order to do that, you need as much information as possible to manage your health and to take early measures when appropriate.

A total body scan can provide you with a comprehensive view of the state of your health. Through the use of the most sophisticated CT scanners, our board-certified radiologists take 3-D images (or pictures) of your internal organs to provide you with a report on the status of your health. This process can be a powerful motivator to begin to make important life style changes.

You may benefit most from a total body scan if:

You are a smoker or former smoker
You have diabetes
Have a family history of cancer
Have a family history of heart disease

3. Will I be exposed to radiation?
The amount of radiation you will receive from a total body scan is minimal. Our CT scanner uses the latest technology to minimize radiation dose, and the Radiologists at Be Well Body Scan constantly review our procedures to be able to provide you with the greatest amount of information using the lowest radiation dose.

4. Does insurance cover the exam?
Currently most insurances do not pay for this examination. However, we will be happy to supply you with a receipt of your paid bill for your records.

5. How can I be sure that my primary care physician gets a copy of the images and the report?
When our radiologist meets with you following the exam, he/she will arrange to have the report sent to your primary care physician. The images and reports of your scan will be kept on file at our facility so that a copy can be forwarded to a physician at any time.

6. Can you refer me to a specialist should I need one?
Yes, we will assist you in finding a physician to follow-up on any abnormalities detected by the exam. Because we will store your images, we will be able to send a copy of the scan and/or report to any physician. Results can help guide you and your physician in choosing the best prevention or treatment strategy.

7. What type of CT scanner does Be Well use?
The ultra-fast GE LightSpeed Ultra CT Scanner uses 8 detector technology to acquire images in under one minute.

8. Do I need to do anything to prepare for the scan, such as fast?
No preparation is needed. You may eat, drink and take medication as you normally do.

9. When should I arrive at the center?
Please arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled appointment.

10. What information should I bring?
At Be Well, you will be asked to complete a brief medical history/questionnaire. You can download the file off the web site and prepare it ahead of time if you prefer. Answers provided on this questionnaire will assist the radiologist in reviewing your CT scan and assessing your risk for lung, heart, abdominal and bone diseases.

11. What will happen during the exam?
You will be brought to a private room where you will change into a robe. This ensures that clothing or metal objects in pockets will not interfere with the CT scan. After you have changed, a technologist will escort you to the scanner room.

During your total body scan, you will lie on your back on a comfortable, padded table. Before the scan begins, the table will slide smoothly through the scanner. You will be asked to hold your breath for a few seconds at a time while the CT scanner images your body. Most patients find that our comfortable and pleasant environment makes this a very relaxed experience. A technologist will be right outside the room and will be able to hear and see you at all times.

12. How long will the exam take?
The total body scan is a non-invasive, outpatient procedure that takes less than 20 minutes. You will be in the office for approximately one hour.

13. Will I feel anything?
No, you will feel nothing - no pain or unusual feelings at all. The CT scanner is open, non-threatening and quiet.

14. What happens after the scan?
While you are changing, the technologist will process your images on a 3-dimensional computer workstation, and the images will be reviewed by the radiologist. This will take approximately 20 minutes. When the radiologist is finished reviewing your images, he/she will sit down with you in a consultation room and review the images with you on a computer screen.

Four aspects of the scan will be reviewed with you:

Area Imaged	Potential Abnormality Detected	Disease Screened For
Chest	Lung nodule	Lung cancer
Heart	Coronary artery calcification	Heart disease
Abdomen	Gall stones Kidney stones Mass in liver, kidney, pancreas Enlarged spleen or lymph nodes Enlarged aorta	Gall bladder disease Kidney disease Liver, kidney or pancreas cancer Lymphoma or other cancer Aortic aneurysm
Bone	Narrowing of joints Decreased bone density	Arthritis Osteoporosis

You will leave with a written report and a CD-ROM of your images that can be viewed on any PC. At your request, a copy of the report will be sent to your primary care or specialist physician. Results can help guide you and your physician in choosing the best prevention and treatment strategy.

If necessary, we will assist you in finding a physician to follow-up any abnormalities detected by the exam.

15. Should I expect any discomfort following my exam?
No, you should not have any discomfort associated with this exam. If you are feeling unwell, you may consider contacting your primary care physician.

16. What should I do with the results of my scan?
Before you leave, you will be given a complete written report and a CD with your images on it in case you need to review your images with your physician or another specialist. In addition, you will be given a written report of your scan findings.

17. Can I get extra copies of my results?
We will be more than happy to send a copy of the scan report to any physician you wish. Results can help guide you and your physician in choosing the best prevention and treatment strategy.

18. When should I be scanned again?
The need to have a repeat screening strongly depends on the results of your scan. If a Be Well radiologist determines a need during your initial screening, he will discuss the most appropriate schedule for follow-up screenings with you.