News

November 4, 2010

On November 4, 2010 the  NLST (National Lung Screening Trial of the National Cancer Institute) reported a 20% reduction in lung cancer mortality rate (death from lung cancer) for current and former heavy smokers who had smoked at least 30 pack years who were screened using a low-dose CT scan. A pack year is calculated by multiplying the number of packs-per day smoked by the number of years smoked. (For example 2 packs per day for 15 years and 1 pack per day for 30 years are both equivalent to 30 pack-years). The age of the more than 53,000 men and women who participated in multi-center study was between 55 and 74).

For more information on the NLST results, including "fast facts" and "questions and answers" please click on the NLST web site link below:

http://www.cancer.gov/nlst/updates

May 12, 2003

Dr. Max Rosen of Be Well Body Scan and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) and Dr. Melvin Clouse of BIDMC discussed the benefits of coronary artery calcium scoring on WCVB - Channel 5 "News at 5".

Drs. Rosen and Clouse discussed the results a new study performed by researchers at the University of Illinois published in the journal Circulation (2003;107:2571-2576). The study "Electron-Beam Tomography Coronary Artery Calcium and Cardiac Events: A 37-month Follow-up of 5635 Initially Asymptomatic Low- to Intermediate-Risk Adults" documents the power of coronary artery calcium scoring to identify patients at risk for future heart attack or future need for coronary artery bypass surgery or angioplasty.

The study found that among middle aged men and women, with low to intermediate risk for coronary artery disease (CAD), that coronary artery calcium scoring provided valuable information about the individual's risk for CAD above and beyond what could be predicted using traditional clinical risk factors (cigarette smoking, hypercholesterolemia, diabetes, and hypertension). Specifically the study found that men who had any calcium detected in their coronary arteries were 3.8 times more likely to die or have a heart attack than men without coronary artery calcification. These men were also 26.8 times more likely to require cardiac bypass surgery or angioplasty. The study also found that women with coronary artery calcification were 3.9 times more likely to require cardiac bypass surgery or angioplasty compared to similar women who did not have coronary artery calcification; and that as the amount of calcification the coronary arteries increased, the patient's risk of heart attack and/or need for bypass surgery or angioplasty increased as well.

May 15, 2002

Be Well Body Scan to Open in Chestnut Hill

(Chestnut Hill, MASS) April 21, 2002 - Max Rosen, MD, MPH, announced today that Be Well Body Scan, a new total body scanning center, will open on Wednesday, May 15th. The center, located at 25 Boylston Street in Chestnut Hill, will be staffed by board-certified radiologists from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical center.

"Choosing to have a total body scan is a proactive step that provides the patient with in-depth information needed to make important decisions about lifestyle choices and healthcare options," said Dr. Rosen, medical director. " A body scan offers a comprehensive look into the body's functions and provides a new level of information about the patient's current health and future risks."

Be Well Body Scan takes CT images of the patient's body from the shoulders through the pelvis. A board-certified radiologist then reviews the scans of the heart, lungs, abdominal cavity and bones for signs of heart disease, aortic aneurysms, many cancers in their early states, and other conditions such as kidney stones and arthritis. The non-invasive scan takes about 20 minutes to perform. The scanning center also works with the patient for follow-up care when any abnormality is detected.

A total body scan may be of greatest benefit for individuals with a history of smoking or diabetes or a family history of cancer or heart disease.

Dr. Rosen cautions that a total body scan is not for everyone. "A total body scan is likely of minimal value in people under the age of 40. While the scan provides extensive information about the patient's current health and risk for developing several diseases, it does not replace the need for screening for breast, prostate or colon cancer."

For more information, or to schedule an appointment, call toll-free 1-877-BODYCTS (1-877-263-9287) or visit www.BeWellBodyScan.com.

Be Well Press Release