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Full-body scanning utilizes computed tomography (CT) scans, which generate cross-sectional body images from chin to hip. It employs X-rays to create “slices” resembling bread slices, revealing intricate details of the body. While magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography (PET) are alternatives, CT scans are more popular, aiding in cancer detection and assessing injuries. Full-body scans are currently being made available as an elective cancer diagnosis service by imaging and medical facilities. People who are in good health and normally don’t exhibit symptoms of cancer are eligible for this service. Despite the fact that full-body scanning could appear like a useful tool for cancer early detection, major medical organizations don’t advise it. Although research is ongoing, it is currently believed that the risks exceed the advantages.
CT Scan
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Pros of Doing a Full Body Scan
Whole-body scanning has become more popular as a result of faster research turnaround times and better image quality. This has transformed medicine from a reactive field that only treats disease symptoms as they appear to a proactive one that detects cancer and other diseases even before symptoms show up. CT is the ideal modality for scanning the pelvis, chest, abdomen, brain, and spine. This often identifies tiny tumors before they begin to manifest clinically. Such early detection leads to improvement in mortality rates.
Additionally, CT is used to guide radiation therapy and biopsies, as well as to quantify the size and exact location of tumors, assess the degree of cancer dissemination, and assess the amount of tumor growth. Aneurysms in the abdomen and other vascular issues are also detected, abscesses and inflammations are evaluated, and kidney stones are examined.
A major advantage of whole-body scanning is that it places the patient in a health-conscious state. The patient gains more interest in what makes their body tick, and what makes it break down. This encourages patients to adopt healthier lifestyles, such as regular exercise and a more sensible diet, by raising their general health awareness. Knowledge is power, knowing the state of the body could have a significant impact on general health and well-being.
Whole body scan exams don’t hurt at all to undergo. These are not invasive tests like colonoscopies or biopsies. The public has benefited significantly from recent advances in imaging technology. In particular, the assessment of target organs in the body with CT imaging is most helpful. Other imaging methods like traditional X-ray and ultrasound typically only record a small selection of internal elements like soft tissue, bone, or blood arteries. All three of these are easily captured in detail by CT.
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Cons of Doing a Full Body Scan
Radiation exposure is one of the main dangers of a full body scan. Both CT and PET scans use radiation to produce precise images of the inside organs in your body. During CT or PET full-body scans, a significant amount of radiation is absorbed by the body. This increases the risk of developing cancer. Although CT accounts for only 6% of all diagnostic X-ray examinations performed in the United Kingdom, it is believed to be responsible for 40% of the radiation exposure from all of these exams.
Despite the fact that some potentially fatal disorders can be investigated with CT imaging, general whole-body CT scanning in otherwise healthy people can have adverse effects. For instance, individuals who undergo a whole-body CT scan and obtain a clear report may develop a false sense of security about their health, which may deter them from adopting healthier lives, getting regular checkups, or getting other more useful screening tests.
Contrarily, individuals whose scans reveal questionable findings could be forced to undergo costly, intrusive, and occasionally pointless follow-up medical procedures. In healthy individuals, benign lesions, non-cancerous tumors, and scar tissue from prior infections make up around 80% of the anomalies found on CT scans. Additionally, what is defined as a normal scan varies with age, and it is not always possible to access the high degree of skills required to recognize these differences.
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Conclusion
Full-body scanning should be accompanied by comprehensive evaluations, including physical examinations, medical history, and other beneficial diagnostic tests. Diagnoses should not be made on the strength of a full body scan alone. A physician should consider other extenuating factors such as the patient’s symptoms, clinical signs, risk factors, family medical history, and comorbidities if any. This will lead to better clinical outcomes.
References
Eastman, P. (2004). Debating the Promises & Pitfalls of Whole-Body Scanning for Symptomless Patients. Oncology Times, 26(24), 8,10-12. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.COT.0000292717.37387.0f
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2017, December 5). Full-Body CT Scans – What You Need to Know. Retrieved July 9, 2023, from https://www.fda.gov/radiation-emitting-products/medical-x-ray-imaging/full-body-ct-scans-what-you-need-know
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