Full body scans have become increasingly popular in recent years as a tool for detecting potential health issues before they become serious. The full body scan plus, in particular, is a comprehensive imaging study that provides detailed information about the body’s organs and tissues. In this blog, we will explore the reasons why a doctor may order a full body scan plus for women and what to expect during the procedure.
| Topic | Description |
|---|---|
| Purpose of a Full Body Scan Plus | A comprehensive imaging study that provides detailed information about the body’s organs and tissues. |
| Early detection of cancer | Can detect early signs of cancer; women are at higher risk of breast and ovarian cancer, and the scan can detect abnormalities in these areas. |
| Heart disease detection | Can detect early stages of heart disease, including plaque buildup in the arteries that may lead to heart attacks and strokes. |
| Lung disease detection | Can detect early signs of lung cancer and other respiratory issues, especially in women who smoke or have a history of lung disease. |
| Bone health assessment | Women are more prone to osteoporosis; the scan can detect bone density and potential fractures. |
| Evaluation of abdominal pain | Provides detailed images of the abdominal area to help identify potential causes of unexplained abdominal pain. |
| Procedure overview | Patients change into a gown and remove metal objects; lie on a table and move through a machine using X-rays, MRI, or CT; the process takes 30–60 minutes. |
Reasons for Ordering a Full Body Scan Plus for Women
Early Detection of Cancer
The full body scan plus is an effective tool for detecting early signs of cancer. Women are at higher risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer, and a full body scan plus can detect abnormalities in these areas.
Heart Disease
The full body scan plus can also detect the early stages of heart disease, which is the leading cause of death in women. This includes the buildup of plaque in the arteries, which can lead to heart attacks and strokes.
Lung Disease
Women who smoke or have a history of lung disease can benefit from a full body scan plus, which can detect early signs of lung cancer and other respiratory issues.
Bone Health
Women are more prone to osteoporosis, and a full body scan plus can detect bone density and potential fractures.
Abdominal Pain
If a woman is experiencing unexplained abdominal pain, a full body scan plus can provide a detailed image of the abdominal area, allowing doctors to identify potential causes of the pain.
What to Expect During a Full Body Scan Plus
Before the scan, patients will be asked to change into a gown and remove any metal objects, such as jewelry. During the scan, the patient will lie on a table and be moved through a large machine that uses x-rays, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or computed tomography (CT) to produce detailed images of the body. The entire process takes approximately 30-60 minutes, depending on the type of scan being performed.
Conclusion
A full body scan plus can provide valuable information for doctors to diagnose potential health issues before they become serious. Women are at higher risk of certain health conditions and can benefit from the early detection and prevention that a full body scan plus provides. If you are a woman with a history of health issues or are experiencing unexplained symptoms, talk to your doctor about whether a full body scan plus is right for you. While this discussion focuses on women, men can also benefit from similar comprehensive screenings—learn more on our Full Body Scan for Men page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why might a doctor order a Full Body Scan Plus for women?
A doctor may order this scan to detect potential health issues early, such as cancer, heart disease, lung disease, bone problems, or the cause of unexplained abdominal pain.
How does the Full Body Scan Plus help with early cancer detection?
The scan can identify early signs of cancer, especially breast and ovarian cancer, which women are at higher risk for.
Can the Full Body Scan Plus detect heart disease?
Yes. It can reveal early stages of heart disease, including plaque buildup in the arteries, which can lead to heart attacks and strokes.
Is this scan useful for women who smoke or have a history of lung disease?
Absolutely. The scan can detect early signs of lung cancer and other respiratory conditions.
Does the Full Body Scan Plus evaluate bone health?
Yes. It helps assess bone density and detect potential fractures, which is important since women are more prone to osteoporosis.
What happens during a Full Body Scan Plus procedure?
Patients change into a gown, remove metal objects, lie on a table, and move through a large machine (MRI, CT, or X-ray) that captures detailed images of the body.
How long does the Full Body Scan Plus take?
The scan typically takes 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the type of imaging used.
Can men benefit from this type of scan as well?
Yes. While this discussion focuses on women, men can also benefit from comprehensive screenings.
The breakdown of what the scan can and can’t help with felt realistic. I didn’t realise it could be used to look into unexplained abdominal pain too, that’s good to know. The part about the process itself was helpful as well, since those machines can sound scary if you’ve never done one before. Overall it sounds like something that makes sense in certain cases, not necesarily for everyone, which is honestly refreshing to read.
I’ve heard mixed opinions on full body scans, so it was useful seeing why a doctor might suggest one instead of just doing random tests. The bone health part especially stood out to me since osteoporosis runs in my family. I do wonder though, is this kind of scan something doctors usually recommend only if you have symptoms, or is it sometimes suggested just as a precaution? I’m in my early 40s and feel fine, so I’m never sure where the line is with this stuff.