"In February of 2007, representatives from BeWell Body Scan were invited to make a presentation to members of our Local Union.  Being close to retirement age I thought a body scan might be beneficial to me as I am hoping to travel after retirement. The last thing I want to do is get sick in a foreign country.  In April of 2007, I had a Body Scan, Carotid Artery Ultrasound and a Bone Density Scan. The test took approximately two and one-half hours. As anxious as I get whenever I have any medical exams done, I can't say enough about professionals at BeWell. They did everything possible to make me as comfortable as they could. All in all, the experience was painless, non intrusive and actually a very positive experience. After my test, I sat down with Dr. Max Rosen, a Radiologist. We then went over the results of my tests. Fortunately for me, the tests revealed an abnormality in my left kidney. Dr. Rosen suggested I see my Primary Care Physician (PCP) as soon as possible for further tests. With my permission Dr. Rosen forwarded my test results to my PCP.

Mike Conners, Local 792, Quincy Fire

"In regards to the full body scan available at Be Well, I would like to take this opportunity to re-enforce the technology of the day as we try to live full and rewarding lives.

"Presently, as a retired Boston Firefighter, I have gained solace and personal satisfaction after deciding to undergo the full body scan at Be Well. After having worked for more than 25 years in our profession and being exposed to many types of unknowns while doing our job, I felt it extremely important to myself and especially my family to determine if there are any undetected problems within my body that may need attention, rather than waiting for the unknown to rear its ugly head and then be faced with sometimes limited options.

"I determined to have the full body scan earlier this year and was willing to face the fact that if there was anything that needed attention, I would have a reasonable chance at a number of alternatives to correct the problem.

"Fortunately, for me, I was given a very clean bill of health after the scan was read by the extremely competent MD radiologist on scene. The personal comfort is rewarding, now that our goal is to live a long and healthy life while in this state of retirement.

"We owe it to ourselves, after working in a constant-changing environment, to enjoy the remaining years with vigor and pleasure. "Do yourself a favor and contact BeWell Body Scan for peace of mind and if necessary, to get a jump on any problems before they become major and also to determine if said problem is job related. It's a very important step to a peaceful back nine on the golf-course of life."

Bob Kerrigan, Boston Fire Department Retired

"I had a great experience at Be Well Body Scan. So great that I have told many friends and family they should be scanned also. I haven't always made good choices about my health - I smoke and I don't find time to exercise due to a busy schedule as a Saugus selectman, vice president/general manager at Faneuil Hall Marketplace and a father of four. But having a scan was a very good decision. The scan and conversation with the doctor only took one hour; having lots of test to find out the same information would have taken me days and several appointments with different doctors. I found out I have two lung nodules that need to be monitored. Seeing these nodules has motivated me to stop smoking like nothing else could have. Dr. Rosen gave me information on how to stop smoking and resources as well as a referral to a primary care doctor. It was a great experience. I would do it again."

Michael Kelleher, Saugus, Mass.

"Last year a malignant tumor in my lung was discovered early due to a CT scan and fortunately surgery was successful. I subsequently had a body scan at Be Well two months ago, and it was the most worthwhile $900 I have ever spent. Not only did it detect small problems, which are treatable, but also it gave me peace of mind that there were no other tumors or serious problems in my body. At my urging my husband had a body scan at Be Well and some small treatable conditions were detected. He is following up with his primary care physician.

"I'm convinced that these problems would only have been discovered through a full body scan.

"I am thankful that these scans are being offered in Massachusetts. The whole experience was pleasant, informative and worthwhile."

Mrs. George Cuker, Weston, Mass.

"I'm 57, been smoking since I was 16, and even though I'm in the medical field, I continued to rationalize continuing smoking with the idea that "It (a myocardial infarction (MI or heart attack) would never happen to me.

"This despite the fact that about a year ago, I started experiencing slight intermittent claudication (calf pain while walking--a sign of aortic calcification), and the fact that my father had extensive arterial disease.

"My PCP would feel my abdomen and my legs, and say, "quit smoking and exercise"--but did not recommend anything else--medication, other tests, or anything. It's like he had the opinion that the only treatment I needed was to quit smoking. This may be true, but to a hardcore smoker, this advice is to no avail. We hear it all the time, being the pariahs of society.

"I heard about the body scan, and since my claudication was getting worse, I bit the bullet, and decided to go: I actually saw that my coronaries and aorta are extensively calcified, and I'm in the 80th percentile range for moderate to high risk of cardiovascular disease--this despite the fact that I am currently asymptomatic (other than the claudication)--no chest pains, no difficulty breathing, etc. Of course, 70% of all MI's are fatal, and without warning. Angioplasty, bypass surgery, etc., are only done on the 30% survivors. I also saw the areas of emphysema in my lungs (slight--but still there), and (fortunately) saw that the rest of me was fine.

"There is nothing like actually seeing the lesions to eliminate all rationalizations, and to elicit no stronger reason to cause me to change my life style more: I haven't had a cigarette since the scan, and will get a stress test soon. If I need treatment (other that quitting smoking and exercising and eating better): so be it--I'll have a better chance of surviving any necessary invasive procedure, minor (angioplasty with stent) or major (coronary bypass surgery) when I'm still relatively healthy. At least I now have a concrete reason for changing my life-style and habits--other than just being told to do so by a non-smoking physician or others, who tend to act like they are somehow better people than us smokers.

"Congratulations to Max Rosen and his crew. He was extremely professional, non derogatory, with no "holier-than-thou" attitude. He simply told me what he saw, and what I ought to do as a result of his observations. In my opinion, the physicians that are complaining about his service are likely those that will suffer an economic loss from the fact that the number of their patients might decrease as a result of his efforts. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."

Vince Mendenhall, Ashland, Mass.