Private Health Scans
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We all have times when we imagine aches and pains to be the start of something more sinister. Are those chest pains a heart attack waiting to happen? Those twinges in the pelvis the start of ovarian cancer? Are my bones brittle?
We don’t like to bother our GPs at every opportunity – it makes us feel like hypochondriacs – but we are the “worried well”, which makes us the perfect candidates for private preventative medicine. High-tech scans are now available all over the country offering – for a fee – to check your body for serious illnesses, such as cancer or heart disease.
These clinics can perform a variety of scans, ranging from ultrasound to 3D electron beam-computerised tomography. Prices start at around £200 but shoot sharply upwards, depending on what you want examined. You don’t need a doctor’s referral, and clinics in Germany and Norway are even scouting for your business. All are selling a mystical concept – peace of mind.
Because even if the news is bad and malignant cells are detected, doesn’t it make sense to know sooner rather than later? After all, nearly all cancers can be cured if caught early enough. Lifestyle changes can prevent heart attacks. Surely, information is power?
But not all doctors agree. Many are concerned that these clinics can be bad for both our health and our pocket, causing unnecessary worry for substantial outlays.
Only you can decide if a scan would really ease your worries, but what all the experts agree on is that if you choose this path, tread wisely. Find a service that offers good post-scan counselling and talk to your GP to let them know what you’re doing. A little unsupported knowledge could definitely be a bad thing.
Typical costs:
Heart: £525
Lung: £525
Bones: £220
Colon: £900
Breast: £225
Brain: £525
Legs: £220 per leg
Ovaries: £200 What's on offer?
Heart: A CT scan checks for calcium deposits in the main arteries of the heart – a good indicator of future disease. It can predict heart disease an amazing 10 to 15 years before it would otherwise appear. Takes 15 minutes.
Lung: A CT scan looks for potential tumours or blockages that could indicate cancer or lung diseases such as emphysema. Early warning of lung cancer is of benefit as the disease rarely exhibits symptoms until it’s too advanced for treatment.
Bones: DEXA scans measure how strong your bones are and reveal whether you’re at risk of osteoporosis or not. If you want to avoid this disease in later life (one in three women will develop it after the age of 50) it’s vital to know early on whether your bones need building up through diet and exercise. Many doctors would like to see osteoporosis screening on the NHS.
Colon: For anyone concerned about their risk of bowel cancer. There is a little discomfort, but there’s no need for the embarrassing colonoscopies of old. These are telescopic tubes, inserted into the bottom, which the NHS uses for reasons of economy and often accuracy.
Breast: While three-yearly mammograms are provided on the NHS for women aged 50 to 70, research from America suggests that the over-40s should be screened too. Like most cancers, early treatment has a big impact on survival rates.
Brain: You’re unlikely to need an MRI scan for the brain unless you’ve been referred by a doctor or neurologist. But most clinics that offer a full-body MOT or screening will include one of these scans, which will look for blockages in the arteries or tumours.
Legs: An ultrasound scan can check for blood clots in the veins.
Ovaries: Ultrasound is very useful for examining the female reproductive organs for cysts or possible tumours. This is vital, as ovarian cancer rarely shows up until it’s dangerously advanced.
What type of scan?
CT scans: Computerised tomography is a type of X-ray. Unlike a traditional X-ray, which sends a single beam of radiation through your body, the CT scan sends several beams at different angles. A computer compiles this information and uses it to make up a 2D and sometimes 3D picture of the inside of the body.
MRI scans: Magnetic Resonance Imaging does not use radiation so it can be safer. Instead, magnetic and radio waves build up a sharp image of the body. MRIs are good for detecting tumours, especially those in the brain, because of this fine detail. Patients must lie still in a tube for some time, so it can be claustrophobic. A new upright MRI scanner has been developed that removes this problem, and is available at The London Upright MRI Centre.
DEXA scans: Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry tests use low-energy X-rays to measure the density of bones. They’re quick and painless. A new, even more accurate technique – single- or dual-photon quantitative CT (QCT) – is sometimes available.
Ultrasound: High-frequency radiowaves are sent through the body, producing images of organs and other areas of the body. It’s non-invasive, painless and, because it’s free from radiation, very safe. Checklist
1 Do your homework. Check out which scan is best for you.
2 Ask for details of the clinic’s staff – are they qualified and experienced?
3 Talk to your GP. Tell him or her that you’re thinking of getting a private scan and ask them to discuss your concerns before and afterwards.
4 Follow up the results. Bad news? Take it on board and change your lifestyle as necessary. Good news? Maybe it’s time to address your general health anyway, using this as a springboard to a brighter new you.
